Patent Description:
Refrigerated enclosures are used in commercial, institutional, and residential applications for storing and/or displaying refrigerated or frozen objects. Refrigerated enclosures may be maintained at temperatures above freezing (e.g., a refrigerator) or at temperatures below freezing (e.g., a freezer). Refrigerated enclosures have one or more thermally insulated doors or windows for viewing and accessing refrigerated or frozen objects within a temperature-controlled space. Doors for refrigerated enclosures include thermally insulated glass panel assemblies.

In some circumstances, features of refrigerated enclosure doors that provide improved insulation also reduce the viewable area of the door or affect the aesthetic appearance of the door. For example, opaque thermal sealing materials placed between panes of glass may block a portion of the viewing area of a door.

<CIT> relates to an insulating glazed element.

<CIT> shows a display case door assembly for a temperature-controlled storage device.

The invention features a refrigerated display case door that includes a hinge rail, a panel assembly, and a handle. The hinge rail includes a channel portion and a hinge receiving portion. The panel assembly includes two panes of glass bounding a sealed space between the panes, and includes a first edge disposed within the channel portion of the hinge rail. The handle is secured to a surface of the panel assembly proximate a second edge of the panel assembly opposite the first edge. The sealed space is closed by a peripheral seal disposed between the panes along a periphery of the panes. The peripheral seal includes a first material extending along a first portion of the periphery and a second material extending along a second, different portion of the periphery, where the second material is more transparent to visible light than the first material. The invention is thus defined in the independent claim <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an exemplary display case door assembly <NUM> installed in a refrigerated display case <NUM>. The refrigerated display case <NUM> may be a refrigerator, freezer, or other enclosure defining a temperature-controlled space. For example, refrigerated display case <NUM> may be a refrigerated display case or refrigerated merchandiser in grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, florist shops, and/or other commercial settings to store and display temperature-sensitive consumer goods (e.g., food products and the like). Refrigerated display case <NUM> can be used to display products that must be stored at relatively low temperatures and can include shelves, glass doors, and/or glass walls to permit viewing of the products supported by the shelves. In some implementations, refrigerated display case <NUM> is a refrigerated display unit used, for example, in warehouses, restaurants, and lounges. For example, refrigerated display case <NUM> can be a free standing unit or "built in" unit that forms a part of the building in which the refrigerated display case <NUM> is located.

Display case door assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of display case doors <NUM> mounted in a display case frame <NUM>. Each display case door <NUM> includes a panel assembly <NUM> pivotally mounted on hinge rail <NUM>. Doors <NUM> each include a handle <NUM>. In some implementations, doors <NUM> can be sliding doors configured to open and close by sliding with respect to case frame <NUM>.

As discussed in more detail below, panel assembly <NUM> includes two panes of glass bounding a sealed space in between, forming a sealed glass unit (SGU). The sealed space is closed by a peripheral seal comprising two materials, one material being more transparent than the other. In some implementations, panel assembly <NUM> may be used as part of a door assembly configured to provide a thermal insulation effect (e.g., for a refrigerated display case) or otherwise used as any type of transparent or substantially transparent panel that provides a thermal insulation effect (e.g., a sliding or hinged window, a fixed-position window, a revolving or sliding door, a hinged door, etc.). In some implementations, panel assembly <NUM> may be used as an insulated window or for a display case <NUM>.

Panel assembly <NUM> includes four edges with a first edge <NUM> disposed within hinge rail <NUM>. A second edge <NUM> is opposite to first edge <NUM>, proximate handle <NUM>. A third edge <NUM> is at a top end of panel assembly <NUM>, and a fourth edge <NUM> is at a bottom end of panel assembly <NUM>. Edge guards extend across each of the top, bottom and second edges of panel assembly <NUM>. For example, top edge <NUM> and bottom edge <NUM> include opaque edge guards <NUM>, and second edge <NUM> includes a transparent edge guard <NUM>. Edge guards <NUM> and <NUM> may be attached to the edges of the panel assembly <NUM> by a friction fit of an adhesive, or by using mechanical fasteners. For example, in such implementations, hinge rail <NUM> coupled to edge <NUM> may support the panel assembly <NUM> within display case door assembly <NUM> without the need for a frame along one or more of edges <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, thereby, enhancing a minimalistic appearance of the display case door assembly <NUM> and supplementing the aesthetics provided by panel assembly <NUM>, appearing as a single pane of glass. In addition, without door frames, door assembly <NUM> reduces spare parts inventory, provides lower maintenance costs and less downtime, all while increasing product merchandising visibility.

Display case door <NUM> includes a handle <NUM> secured to a front surface of panel assembly <NUM>, located proximate second edge <NUM>. Handle <NUM> may be attached to panel assembly <NUM> by using an adhesive or epoxy. Handle <NUM> may be used to open, close, lock, unlock, seal, unseal, or otherwise operate display case door <NUM>. Handle <NUM> can be made from extruded aluminum tubes that are cut to a specified dimension and bonded to a front surface of display case door <NUM>.

Panel assembly <NUM> includes one or more panes of transparent or substantially transparent glass (e.g., insulated glass, non-tempered glass, tempered glass, etc.), plastics, or other transparent or substantially transparent materials. In some implementations, panel assembly <NUM> includes multiple layers of transparent panes (e.g. multiple panes per door <NUM>). For example, panel assembly <NUM> can be a multi-pane unit having a first pane and a second pane that are separated by a gap, forming an SGU.

<FIG> illustrate an example implementation of display case door <NUM>. Referring specifically to <FIG> and <FIG>, hinge rail <NUM> is coupled to panel assembly <NUM> along the vertical length of panel <NUM>. Hinge rail <NUM> can be coupled to panel <NUM> using various methods such as friction fit, using an adhesive, or by using mechanical fasteners. Hinge rail <NUM> has a hinge channel <NUM> that includes openings at the top and bottom thereof, as discussed in more detail below with respect to <FIG>. The openings at the top and bottom of hinge channel <NUM> receive hinge pins 19a of torque hinges <NUM> for connecting door <NUM> to frame <NUM>.

In some implementations, hinge rail <NUM> can be mounted to torque hinges <NUM>. Torque hinges <NUM> can be configured to apply a torque to door <NUM> which automatically returns door <NUM> to a closed position. For example, torque hinges <NUM> may include internal springs (e.g., torsion springs, linear springs, etc.) which store energy when door <NUM> is opened and apply a closing torque to door <NUM> (i.e., a torque which causes door <NUM> to move toward the closed position). In some implementations, the torque hinges are attached directly to panel assembly <NUM>. In some examples, instead of torque hinges <NUM>, hinge rail <NUM> can be configured to connect to gravity hinges, electrical hinges, or different types of hinges.

Display case door <NUM> can also include any of a variety of structures or features for attaching door <NUM> to frame <NUM>. For example, door <NUM> may include a structure for housing wiring, a mullion <NUM>, one or more gaskets <NUM>, and/or other associated brackets and components included in refrigerated display cases.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, display case door <NUM> can include edge guards <NUM> and <NUM> coupled to edges of panel assembly <NUM>. An edge guard coupled to an edge proximate the handle can be clear/transparent. Edge guards coupled to a top and bottom edges can be opaque. Transparent edge guards transmit more light than opaque edge guards. Second edge <NUM> (e.g. handle-side edge) includes transparent seal 27b as further discussed in <FIG>. Transparent seal 27b combined with transparent edge guard <NUM> improves product visibility and aesthetic appearance. Edge guards <NUM> and <NUM> have open channels (e.g., U-shaped or C-shaped channels) configured to fit over an edge of panel <NUM>. Edge guards <NUM> and <NUM> can be coupled to panel <NUM> by using silicon or the like for bonding, providing a sealing feature. In some implementations, clear edge guard <NUM> on second edge <NUM> includes a wiper 17a that cooperates with a corresponding wiper 17a on an opposite oriented door (as shown in <FIG>) to seal refrigerated display case <NUM> when doors <NUM> are closed. In one example, top edge <NUM> and bottom edge <NUM> can include opaque edge guards <NUM>, while second edge <NUM> includes transparent edge guard <NUM>. Alternatively, edge guards may be coupled only to the third edge (top edge) <NUM> and second edge (handle-side edge) <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, panel assembly <NUM> includes a front pane <NUM>, a peripheral seal <NUM>, and a rear pane <NUM>. Front pane <NUM> has an outside surface <NUM> (e.g., also the outside surface of the panel assembly <NUM>) and an inside surface <NUM>. For example, outside surface <NUM> faces toward a consumer standing in front of the display case when door <NUM> is closed. Inside surface <NUM> faces toward merchandise within the display case when door <NUM> is closed. Rear pane <NUM> has a first surface <NUM> and a second surface <NUM> (e.g., which also serves as the inside surface of the panel assembly <NUM>). For example, first surface <NUM> faces toward a consumer standing in front of the display case when door <NUM> is closed. Second surface <NUM> faces toward merchandise within the display case when door <NUM> is closed.

Front pane <NUM> and rear pane <NUM> are assembled together to form an SGU panel assembly. Together, front pane <NUM> and rear pane <NUM> bound a sealed space <NUM> between the panes <NUM> and <NUM>. Sealed space <NUM> is closed by peripheral seal <NUM>. Peripheral seal <NUM> is disposed between panes <NUM> and <NUM> along a periphery of the panes, such that peripheral seal <NUM> is exposed to sealed space <NUM> between panes <NUM> and <NUM>. Accordingly, inside surface <NUM> of front pane <NUM> is separated from the first surface <NUM> of second pane <NUM> by sealed space <NUM>.

In some implementations, sealed space <NUM> can be filled with an insulating gas such as a noble gas (e.g., Argon, Krypton, etc.) which functions as a thermal insulator to reduce heat transfer through the panel. Alternatively, sealed space <NUM> can be an evacuated space below atmospheric pressure. For example, panel assembly <NUM> can be a vacuum insulated glass (VIG) assembly that has a vacuum port (not shown) for the panel to be evacuated. The vacuum port can be used to remove air from sealed space <NUM> after panel assembly <NUM> has been assembled in order to draw a vacuum within sealed space <NUM>. The vacuum port may extend through either pane <NUM> or pane <NUM>.

Peripheral seal <NUM> includes two different materials: an opaque material 27a, and a transparent material 27b. The transparent material 27b has a higher transmittance of visible light than that of the opaque material 27b. The opaque material 27a can include silicone resin, as well as polyisobutylene, polysulfide, glass solder, ceramic frit, or a mixture of these various compounds. These compounds create an effective moisture barrier, provide good thermal insulation, and are relatively inexpensive. However, despite these advantages, opaque material 27a is unattractive and in some instances requires to be masked by a door frame. Transparent material 27b can include a transparent resin such as a glue with silicone, a hybrid mastic having silicone and/or polyurethane, hot-melt adhesive, or a mixture of these various compounds. These compounds are aesthetically attractive, and increase the product merchandising visibility. However, transparent material 27b may be more expensive and is generally less effective thermal insulator and moisture barrier than opaque material 27a.

In other implementations, peripheral seal <NUM> can be made of an inorganic material capable of providing a hermetic seal. In some implementations, peripheral seal <NUM> is made of an alloy material specifically formulated for joining glass, silicon, and other types of silicates. For example, peripheral seal <NUM> can be made of a metallic alloy or an active solder including, but not limited to, tin, silver, and titanium. In some implementations, peripheral seal <NUM> is formed using the "S-BOND® <NUM>" alloy manufactured by S-Bond Technologies, LLC. In some implementations, peripheral seal <NUM> is a ceramic frit made from a granulated or powdered ceramic or glass material. The ceramic frit may be a ceramic composition that has been fused in a fusing oven, quenched to form a glass, and granulated.

Referring to <FIG>, opaque material 27a (e.g. opaque seal) extends along a first portion of the periphery of panel assembly <NUM> (as indicated by a dashed line), and transparent material 27b (e.g. transparent seal) extends along a second, different portion of the periphery (as indicated by a solid line). The first portion of the periphery includes top edge <NUM>, bottom edge <NUM>, and first edge <NUM> (e.g. hinge rail edge) of panel assembly <NUM>, while the second portion of the periphery includes second edge <NUM>, proximate handle <NUM>. Because first edge <NUM> is configured to couple to hinge rail <NUM>, opaque seal 27a along first edge <NUM> is covered by hinge rail <NUM> during display, and thus not visible to a consumer. In addition, because top edge <NUM> and bottom edge <NUM> are adjacent case frame <NUM> during display when door <NUM> is closed, opaque seal 27a along the top and bottom edges may be less visible to a consumer. The configuration of panel assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> improves the benefits of using opaque seal 27a, by using opaque seal 27a along a majority of the edges of panel assembly <NUM> without obstructing the product view. In addition, because second edge <NUM> is the most visible edge to consumers, it is an advantage of this implementation to have transparent seal 27b be disposed along second edge <NUM>. Transparent material 27b may create the impression that refrigerated display case <NUM> lacks a seal along second edge <NUM>, offering a less obstructed visibility. Another advantage of this implementation is that the amount of transparent seal 27b is reduced (in contrast with doors having transparent seal along more edges) to increase insulation of panel assembly <NUM>, while increasing the product visibility and aesthetic appearance of panel assembly <NUM>.

In some implementations, the first portion of the periphery may include only first edge <NUM> of panel assembly <NUM>, such that the opaque seal is only along first edge <NUM>. In some implementations, the transparent sealing material can be applied at the top and bottom edges of the assembly as well as at the second edge of the assembly. Alternatively, the transparent seal 27b can be disposed only along second edge <NUM> and top edge <NUM>, or only along second edge <NUM> and bottom edge <NUM>. In addition, an opaque edge guard can cover an edge with opaque sealing materials and a transparent edge guard can cover an edge with transparent sealing materials.

In some implementations, edge guards are coupled to second edge <NUM> and third edge <NUM>, where a transparent edge guard is coupled to second edge <NUM>. In some implementations, the transparent edge guard has a wiper configured to seal the door when the door is in a closed position.

Referring also to <FIG>, in some implementations, peripheral seal <NUM> is exposed to sealed space <NUM> between the panes. In some implementations, sealed space <NUM> is filled with an insulating gas, where the peripheral seal <NUM> is exposed to the insulating gas within sealed space <NUM>. In some implementations, sealed space <NUM> is evacuated below atmospheric pressure, where peripheral seal <NUM> is exposed to vacuum pressure in the sealed space.

In some implementations, front pane <NUM> and rear pane <NUM> are made of tempered glass. For example, using tempered glass may improve the durability of panes <NUM> and <NUM> relative to non-tempered glass. Using tempered glass may also improve the safety of the panel assembly <NUM> by causing panes <NUM> and <NUM> to fracture into many small pieces in the event that breakage occurs.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, hinge rail <NUM> has an "L" shaped cross-section when viewed from the top or bottom of door <NUM>. The "L" shape is shown to include a hinge receiving portion <NUM> and a channel portion <NUM>. Channel portion <NUM> includes opposing members <NUM> and <NUM> that define a panel channel <NUM> for receiving and securing panel <NUM>. More specifically, channel portion <NUM> is configured to receive first edge <NUM> of panel assembly <NUM>, covering opaque seal 27a of first edge <NUM>. Hinge channel <NUM> is configured to attach to hinge <NUM>. Hinge channel <NUM> has room for receiving cables, or other electrical or mechanical equipment in implementations where panel <NUM> is configured to connect to such components. In one example, rail l8 is an aluminum extrusion into which panel <NUM> is bonded (e.g., using an adhesive such as epoxy or polyurethane). A tape that incorporates an adhesive, such as acrylic or the like may also be used. In other embodiments, a mechanical clamp could be used to secure panel <NUM> in place. Combinations of a clamp and adhesives or tape could also be used. None of these are a limitation on the present invention. In other embodiments, rail l8 can be made of another material, such as stainless steel.

Claim 1:
A refrigerated display case door (<NUM>), comprising:
a hinge rail (<NUM>) comprising a channel portion (<NUM>) and a hinge receiving portion (<NUM>);
a panel assembly (<NUM>) comprising two panes (<NUM>, <NUM>) of glass bounding a sealed space (<NUM>) between the panes, the panel assembly having a first edge (<NUM>) disposed within the channel portion of the hinge rail; and
a handle (<NUM>) secured to a surface of the panel assembly proximate a handle-side edge (<NUM>) of the panel assembly;
wherein the sealed space is closed by a peripheral seal (<NUM>) disposed between the panes along a periphery of the panes, the peripheral seal comprising a first material (27a) extending along a first portion of the periphery and a second material (27b) extending along a second, different portion of the periphery, wherein the first portion of the periphery includes the first edge of the panel assembly, wherein the hinge rail is arranged to cover the peripheral seal applied along the first edge, and wherein the second portion of the periphery includes the handle-side edge of the panel assembly; and
wherein the second material has a higher transmittance of visible light than that of the first material.