Patent ID: 7146821

Claim:
A storage and/or display module wherein the improvement is a structure design for utilizing temperature-regulated, surface-flowing fluid for maintaining the temperature of held perishable items comprising: (a) a rigid support structure, and (b) a plurality of item support members with substantial capability for thermal conduction, held in position by said rigid support structure, and (c) a means for supplying temperature-regulated fluid to the substantial height of said rigid support structure, and (d) a free-flow surface over which said fluid can descend in a manner that is visible and potentially audible to a person facing said rigid support structure, and (e) a means for direct thermal conductive contact between said fluid and said item support members, and (f) a means for directing said fluid for recirculation or other diversion, whereby the process of regulating the temperature of stored and displayed items simultaneously provides the visual aesthetic qualities of said fluid-in-motion interacting with light and the potential audio aesthetics resulting from the impact of the fluid against structural members during a modified falling descent.