REFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE, USE OF A REFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE

Description

[0001] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a serving counter for displaying refrigerated products in a display space thereof, comprising a display shelf that bounds the display space on a bottom side, which display shelf is configured for supporting the products to be displayed on a supporting surface thereof, a first refrigeration unit configured for supplying cooled gas to the display space via a wall of the display space and a second refrigeration unit configured for cooling the supporting surface, wherein the second refrigeration unit comprises a refrigerating element for cooling the supporting surface in a manner distributed over the display shelf.

[0002] Serving counters are used in supermarkets and cheese stores, among other places, for the refrigerated display of products. The refrigerated products are to that end placed in a display space that is freely accessible to consumers and/or the storekeeper without these persons having to open and close a door or the like, for example, which gives access to the display space. The products are generally kept at a temperature ranging between -1 °C and + 4.4 °C. The display space of known serving counters is mainly bounded by a display shelf at the bottom side for supporting the products to be displayed thereon. In known serving counters a refrigeration unit is provided for blowing a cooled gas, for example air, into the display space, between the products present therein, via a side wall of the display space, and the display shelf is cooled. Although the known serving counters function well in practice, the energy consumption of the known serving counters is open to improvement. DE 19548377 A1 discloses a cold display counter for perishable foodstuffs e.g. for meat, sausages or bakery products. DE 19504286 A1 discloses a heat exchanger cooling or heat surface.

[0003] Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a serving counter with a reduced energy consumption.

[0004] According to the present invention, this object is achieved in that the refrigerating element comprises a first refrigerating part and a second refrigerating part, wherein the second refrigerating part is configured for cooling the supporting surface in a portion of the display shelf remote from the wall and the second refrigerating part is configured for realising a larger refrigeration capacity of the supporting surface than the first refrigerating part, wherein the first refrigerating part is configured for cooling the supporting surface in a portion of the display shelf adjacent to the wall. The invention is based on the insight that a relatively low temperature of the cooled gas to be blown into the display space is needed in the known serving counters for maintaining a desired temperature of the products in the display space thereof so as to realise the desired temperature of the products that are in a manner distributed over the supporting surface of the display shelf in use. Because the refrigeration capacity of the supporting surface is greater in a portion of the display shelf remote from the wall than in a portion of the display shelf adjacent to the wall, it is possible to keep products present on the supporting surface of the portion of the display shelf remote from the wall within a desired temperature range while using a higher temperature of the gas to be blown into the display space. The use of a higher temperature for the gas to be blown in by the first refrigeration unit leads to a reduced energy consumption of the serving counter in comparison with the known serving counters. An additional advantage is that because of the greater refrigeration capacity, the display shelf can extend along a greater length from the wall while keeping the desired temperature of the products within the aforesaid range.

[0005] It is noted that within the scope of the present invention, "a wall of the display space" is understood to mean a wall that bounds the display space.

[0006] Within the scope of the present invention, the "refrigeration capacity" is understood to mean the amount of energy that can be withdrawn from the products present on the display shelf per unit time.

[0007] Within the scope of the present invention a serving counter is understood to cover serving counters for keeping products at a temperature ranging between -1 °C and + 4.4 °C as well as refrigerator and/or freezer cabinets for keeping products at a temperature ranging between -18 °C and + 4.4 °C.

[0008] It is advantageous in this regard if the second refrigerating part is provided at a smaller distance from the supporting surface than the first refrigerating part. By providing the second refrigerating part at a smaller distance from the supporting surface, the refrigeration capacity is increased in a practical manner as a result of an improved heat transfer between the second refrigerating part and the supporting surface.

[0009] It is advantageous if a ratio of a cooling surface area of the second refrigerating part to the portion remote from the wall of the supporting surface is greater than a ratio of a cooling surface area of the first refrigerating part to the portion of the supporting surface adjacent to the wall. By increasing this ratio, the refrigeration capacity at the portion remote from the wall can be increased whilst the refrigeration intensity of the refrigerating element can remain the same. Within the scope of the present invention, the term "refrigeration intensity" is understood to mean the refrigeration capacity per unit area of the refrigerating element.

[0010] In a practical embodiment, the refrigerating element comprises an arrangement of pipes provided under the supporting surface for cooling the display shelf in a manner distributed over the display shelf, wherein a spacing between adjacent pipes is smaller in the second refrigerating part than in the first refrigerating part. By spacing adjacent pipes closer together in the second refrigerating part, the refrigeration capacity is increased whilst the refrigeration intensity can remain the same.

[0011] It is advantageous if the first refrigeration unit comprises an inlet extending in the wall, which inlet is configured for imparting a downward component into the display space to the gas to be blown into the display space for refrigerating the products that are present in the display space in use from above. By refrigerating the products from above, a more even refrigeration of the products that are in a manner distributed over the supporting surface can be realised by the gas being blown into the display space.

[0012] It is advantageous in this regard if gas guiding elements are provided at the inlets for guiding the gas to be supplied to the display space in a desired direction. The use of gas guiding elements is advantageous for realising a relatively precise distribution of the gas blown into the display space.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment variant comprising the inlet extending in the wall, an outlet is provided in the wall on the side of the inlet remote from the display shelf for discharging gas that is present in the display space from the display space. Providing the outlet at this position in the wall makes it possible to realise a gas flow in the display space wherein a return flow of gas is present between the relatively cold gas blown into the display space and ambient air outside the serving counter, which return flow at least partially screens the relatively cold gas from the ambient air.

[0014] It is advantageous in this regard if a fan is provided on the side of the outlet remote from the display space for discharging gas from the display space, wherein an axis of rotation of the fan extends substantially parallel to the wall. The provision of a fan having an axis of rotation that extends substantially parallel to the wall makes it possible to realise a relatively uniform forced discharge of air from the display space. A uniform forced discharge is advantageous for realising a relatively uniform refrigeration of the products present in the display space.

[0015] In an embodiment comprising the outlet in the wall it is advantageous if the outlet is connected for fluid flow to the inlet via a first evaporator, wherein the first evaporator is configured for cooling the gas to be supplied to the display space through evaporation of a refrigerant. Connecting the two for fluid flow is advantageous for reducing the amount of energy that is needed by at least partially recirculating the cooled gas blown into the display space.

[0016] It is advantageous in this regard if the first evaporator is configured as a counterflow evaporator that is configured to provide a downward gas flow of the cooled gas to be supplied to the display space via the inlet and an upward flow of refrigerant present in the first evaporator. A counterflow evaporator is advantageous for realising a compact first refrigeration unit.

[0017] In an embodiment comprising the first evaporator, it is advantageous if the first evaporator is connected for fluid flow to a first heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger is provided upstream of the first evaporator and the first heat exchanger is configured for cooling gas to be supplied to the display space via the inlet after the gas to be supplied has passed through the first evaporator. By providing the first heat exchanger upstream, a relatively strong cooling of the gas to be supplied to the display space can be obtained before said gas is supplied to the display space via the inlet, wherein the gas cooled by the first heat exchanger is cooled by the first evaporator after being discharged from the display space. Such an embodiment is advantageous for realising a relatively large refrigeration capacity in a relatively compact construction.

[0018] In a practical embodiment, the refrigerating element is connected for fluid flow to an evaporator for evaporating a refrigerant that is provided downstream of the refrigerating element, which evaporator is formed by a second evaporator. By providing the refrigerating element upstream of an evaporator, a relatively strong cooling of the supporting surface can be obtained. Such an embodiment is advantageous for realising a relatively large refrigeration capacity in a relatively compact construction.

[0019] It is advantageous in this regard if the second evaporator is formed by the first evaporator. The fact that the second evaporator is formed by the first evaporator makes it possible to realise a larger refrigeration capacity in the first refrigeration unit.

[0020] It is advantageous if a heating device is provided which comprises a second heat exchanger that can be connected for fluid flow to the refrigerating element and/or the first heat exchanger, wherein the second heat exchanger is configured for heating refrigerant present in the second heat exchanger by heat transfer. This heating device is advantageous with a view to heating the refrigerating element of the first heat exchanger, for example for removing or at least reducing any icing in the serving counter.

[0021] This heating device can advantageously be used in a refrigerator or freezer cabinet. Refrigerator or freezer cabinets are used in supermarkets, among other places, for the refrigerated display of products. The refrigerated products are to that end placed in a display space that is accessible to consumers, who must to that end open a closing element, such as a door or the like, for example, which gives access to the display space. The products are generally kept at a temperature ranging between -18 °C and + 4.4 °C.

[0022] A refrigerator or freezer cabinet is essentially different from a display counter according to the first aspect of the present invention in that it comprises a display space that can be closed off from an outside space. Such a refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet for the displaying refrigerated products in a display space that can be closed off from an outside space comprises a display shelf that bounds the display space on a bottom side, which display shelf is configured for supporting the products to be displayed on a supporting surface thereof, and a first refrigeration unit configured for supplying cooled gas to the display space via a wall of the display space, characterised in that a heating device is provided which comprises a second heat exchanger that can be connected for fluid flow to the first refrigeration unit, wherein the second heat exchanger is configured for heating refrigerant present in the second heat exchanger by heat transfer. Providing a refrigerator or freezer cabinet with such a heating device is advantageous for defrosting the first refrigeration unit. The invention is defined by the appended claims, and can be further described by the following illustrative clauses of a serving counter comprising a refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet:

Clause 1. A refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet for displaying refrigerated products in a display space thereof, comprising a display shelf that bounds the display space on a bottom side, which display shelf is configured for supporting the products to be displayed on a supporting surface thereof, a first refrigeration unit configured for supplying cooled gas to the display space via a wall of the display space and a second refrigeration unit configured for cooling the supporting surface, wherein the second refrigeration unit comprises a refrigerating element for cooling the supporting surface in a manner distributed over the display shelf, characterised in that the refrigerating element comprises a first refrigerating part and a second refrigerating part, wherein the second refrigerating part is configured for cooling the supporting surface in a portion of the display shelf remote from the wall and the second refrigerating part is configured for realising a larger refrigeration capacity of the supporting surface than the first refrigerating part, wherein the first refrigerating part is configured for cooling the supporting surface in a portion of the display shelf adjacent to the wall.

Clause 2. A refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet according to clause 1, characterised in that the second refrigerating part is provided at a smaller distance from the supporting surface than the first refrigerating part.

Clause 3. A refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet according to clause 1 and/or 2, characterised in that a ratio of a cooling surface area of the second refrigerating part to the portion remote from the wall of the supporting surface is greater than a ratio of a cooling surface area of the first refrigerating part to the portion of the supporting surface adjacent to the wall.

Clause 4. A refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet according to any one of the preceding clauses, characterised in that the refrigerating element comprises an arrangement of pipes provided under the supporting surface for cooling the display shelf in a manner distributed over the display shelf, wherein a spacing between adjacent pipes is smaller in the second refrigerating part than in the first refrigerating part.

Clause 5. A refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet according to any one of the preceding clauses, characterised in that the first refrigeration unit comprises an inlet extending in the wall, which inlet is configured for imparting a downward component into the display space to the gas to be blown into the display space for refrigerating the products that are present in the display space in use from above.

Clause 6. A refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet according to clause 5, characterised in that gas guiding elements are provided at the inlets for guiding the gas to be supplied to the display space in a desired direction.

Clause 7. A refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet according to either one of clauses 5 - 6, characterised in that an outlet is provided in the wall on the side of the inlet remote from the display shelf for discharging gas that is present in the display space from the display space.

Clause 8. A refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet according to clause 7, characterised in that a fan is provided on the side of the outlet remote from the display space for discharging gas from the display space, wherein an axis of rotation of the fan extends substantially parallel to the wall.

Clause 9. A refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet according to either one of clauses 7 - 8, characterised in that the outlet is connected for fluid flow to the inlet via a first evaporator, wherein the first evaporator is configured for cooling the gas to be supplied to the display space through evaporation of a refrigerant.

Clause 10. A refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet according to clause 9, characterised in that the first evaporator is configured as a counterflow evaporator that is configured to provide a downward gas flow of the cooled gas to be supplied to the display space via the inlet and an upward flow of refrigerant present in the first evaporator.

Clause 11. A refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet according to any one of the preceding clauses, characterised in that the refrigerating element is connected for fluid flow to an evaporator for evaporating a refrigerant that is provided downstream of the refrigerating element, which evaporator is formed by a second evaporator.

Clause 12. A refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet according to clause 11, characterised in that the second evaporator is formed by the first evaporator.

Clause 13. A refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet according to any one of the preceding clauses, characterised in that a heating device is provided which comprises a second heat exchanger that can be connected for fluid flow to the refrigerating element and/or the first heat exchanger, wherein the second heat exchanger is configured for heating refrigerant present in the second heat exchanger by heat transfer.

Clause 14. Use of a refrigerator and/or freezer cabinet according to any one of the preceding clauses, characterised in that a refrigerant is supplied to the first refrigeration unit for cooling gas to be supplied to the display space and/or to the second refrigeration unit for cooling the supporting surface, wherein the refrigerant has a temperature that ranges between -30 °C and -2 °C.

Clause 15. Use according to clause 14, characterised in that the refrigerant has a temperature that ranges between -6.5 °C and -5.5 °C.

[0023] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a serving counter according to the present invention, wherein a refrigerant is supplied to the first refrigeration unit for cooling gas to be supplied to the display space and/or to the second refrigeration unit for cooling the supporting surface, wherein the refrigerant has a temperature that ranges between -8 °C and -2 °C. A temperature within this range is higher than the usual temperatures of a refrigerant to be supplied to the known serving counters. A higher temperature of the refrigerant is advantageous for reducing the amount of energy that is required.

[0024] It is advantageous in this regard if the refrigerant has a temperature that ranges between -6.5 °C and -5.5 °C. An advantage of this temperature range is that it makes it possible to connect the serving counter to a central unit for cooling the refrigerant as for example present in a supermarket, without additional cooling of the refrigerant being required.

[0025] The present invention will now be explained in more detail by means of a description of preferred embodiments of a serving counter according to the present invention, in which reference is made to the following schematic figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a serving counter in partially sectional side view;

Figure 2 shows the serving counter of figure 1 in sectional side view;

Figure 3 shows the detail A-A of figure 2;

Figure 4 shows the detail B-B of figure 2;

Figure 5 shows a refrigeration diagram for a serving counter according to the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a refrigeration diagram for a serving counter according to the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a refrigeration diagram for a serving counter according to the present invention.

[0026] The serving counter 1 is provided with a frame 3 for supporting the serving counter 1 on a ground surface 5. On the side of the serving counter 1 that faces the consumer in use, a display wall 7 which supports a substantially horizontal wall portion 9 on the upper side thereof is provided. The display wall 7 and the wall portion 9 bound a display space 11 on the side of the serving counter 1 that faces the consumer. At the bottom side, the display space 11 is mainly bounded by a display shelf 12 that extends in the transverse direction B of the serving counter. On the side of the serving counter 1 remote from the display wall 7, a housing part 13 is provided, in which a part of the first refrigeration unit 15 is accommodated.

[0027] The first refrigeration unit 15 is configured for supplying cooled gas, for example air, to the display space 11 via a wall 17. The wall 17 is to that end provided with an inlet 19 extending in the wall 17. The inlet 19 extends along a length of the serving counter 1, substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction B. The inlet 19 is configured for imparting a downward direction component in the display space 11 to the gas to be blown into the display space 11 for refrigerating products that are present in the display space 11 in use from above. Gas guiding elements 21 are provided at the inlet 19 for guiding the gas to be supplied to the display space 11 in the desired direction. An outlet 23 is provided in the wall 17, on the side of the inlet 19 remote from the display shelf 12, for discharging gas from the display space 11. The outlet 23 extends substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction B along a length of the serving counter 1. On the side of the outlet 23 remote from the display space 11, a fan 25 is provided for discharging gas from the display space 11, with a rotation axis 27 of the fan 25 extending substantially parallel to the wall 17. The outlet 23 is connected for fluid flow to the inlet 19 via a first evaporator 29, wherein the first evaporator 29 is configured for cooling the gas to be supplied to the display space 11 by evaporating a refrigerant. Examples of evaporating refrigerants that can be advantageously used in the first refrigeration unit 15 are R404A, R507, R134a, R407A, R407D, R407F, R448A, R449A, R410A, R744, R290.

[0028] The first evaporator 29 is configured as a counterflow evaporator configured for providing a downward gas flow toward the ground surface 5 of the cooled gas to be supplied to the display space 11 via the inlet 19 and an upward flow of refrigerant present in the first evaporator 29. The first evaporator 29 is connected for fluid flow to a first heat exchanger 31. The refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchanger 31 in use flows through an evaporator 29 provided downstream of the first heat exchanger 31. The refrigerant is evaporated upon passing through the evaporator 29, so that the gas to be supplied to the display space can be cooled. The first heat exchanger 31 is configured for cooling gas to be supplied to the display space 11 via the inlet 19 after the gas to be supplied has passed through the first evaporator 29.

[0029] Alternatively a substantially non-evaporating (in use) refrigerant, such as for example a glycol such as mono-ethylene glycol DTX (detoxified) 27% or mono-propylene glycol 32% may be used, in which case the first refrigeration unit will be provided with an air cooler rather than with an evaporator.

[0030] The serving counter 1 further comprises a second refrigeration unit 33 for cooling the supporting surface 35 of the display shelf 12. The second refrigeration unit 33 comprises a refrigerating element 37 for cooling the supporting surface 35 in a manner distributed over the display shelf 12. The refrigerating element 37 comprises a first refrigerating part 39 and a second refrigerating part 41 and comprises an arrangement of pipes 47 provided under the supporting surface 35 for cooling the display shelf 12 in a manner distributed over the display shelf 12. The first refrigerating part 39 is configured for cooling the supporting surface 35 in a portion 45 of the display shelf 12 adjacent to the wall 17. The second refrigerating part 41 is configured for cooling the supporting surface 35 in a portion 43 of the display shelf 12 remote from the wall 17. The second refrigerating part 41 is configured for realising a larger refrigeration capacity of the supporting surface 35 than the first refrigerating part 39. The pipes 47 of the second refrigerating part 41 are provided closer to the supporting surface 35 than the pipes 47 of the first refrigerating part 39. The pipes 47 of the second refrigerating part 41 are located on an underside of the display shelf 12. The cooling element 37 is connected for refrigerant flow to a second evaporator for evaporating refrigerant present in the second refrigeration unit 33.

[0031] Alternatively, a substantially non-evaporating (in use) refrigerant, such as for example a glycol such as mono-ethylene glycol DTX (detoxified) 27% or mono-propylene glycol 32% may be used in the second refrigeration unit, in which case the second refrigeration unit will be provided with a plate cooler provided with pipes rather than with an evaporator.

[0032] It is conceivable that the pipes of the second refrigerating part are spaced from the underside of the display shelf or that they are partially or fully incorporated in the display shelf. In one embodiment (not shown), pipes in the second refrigerating part are spaced closer together than the pipes in the first refrigerating part, so that a ratio of a cooling surface area of the pipes of the second refrigerating part to the part of the supporting surface remote from the wall is greater than a ratio of a cooling surface area of the pipes of the first refrigerating part to the part of the supporting surface adjacent to the wall.

[0033] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a refrigeration diagram of a serving counter 1, in which an evaporating refrigerant such as R404A, R507, R134a, R407A, R407D, R407F, R448A, R449A, R410A, R744, R290 can be used. The refrigerant can be supplied to the second refrigeration unit 33 via a distributor 63, which refrigeration unit 33 is connected for fluid flow to the first refrigeration unit 15. The first refrigeration unit 15 is provided with a discharge pipe 65 for discharging the refrigerant from the first refrigeration unit. The refrigeration diagram shown in figure 7 is different from the refrigeration diagram of figure 5 in that it includes a thermostatic expansion valve 69, whereas the refrigeration diagram of figure 5 includes an electronic expansion valve 67. In a serving counter 1 provided with a refrigeration system according to the refrigeration diagram of figure 5 or figure 7, the evaporating refrigerant is supplied in liquid form, in which case the refrigerant will have a temperature that ranges between -8 °C and -2 °C. The refrigerant will have evaporated upon exiting the second refrigeration unit 15, after which the gaseous refrigerant can be supplied to a compressor (not shown) again for being cooled.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in figure 6 of a refrigeration diagram for use of a substantially non-evaporating (in use) refrigerant in a serving counter 1, a heating device is provided. The heating device comprises a second heat exchanger 51, which can be connected for fluid flow to the first heat exchanger 31. A pump 57 is provided in the supply pipe 55 to the second heat exchanger 51 and a first non-return valve 59 is provided in the discharge pipe of the second heat exchanger 51. The first non-return valve 59, in combination with a second non-return valve 61, makes it possible to circulate a refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 31 and the second heat exchanger 51. Disposing the second heat exchanger 51 in the outside air makes it possible to heat refrigerant that is present in the second heat exchanger 51.

Claims

1. A serving counter (1) for displaying refrigerated products in a display space (11) thereof, comprising a display shelf (12) that bounds the display space (11) on a bottom side, which display shelf (12) is configured for supporting the products to be displayed on a supporting surface (35) thereof, a first refrigeration unit (15) configured for supplying cooled gas to the display space (11) via a wall (17) of the display space (11) and a second refrigeration unit (33) configured for cooling the supporting surface (35), wherein the second refrigeration unit (33) comprises a refrigerating element (37) for cooling the supporting surface (35) in a manner distributed over the display shelf (12), characterised in that the refrigerating element (37) comprises a first refrigerating part (39) and a second refrigerating part (41), wherein the second refrigerating part (41) is configured for cooling the supporting surface (35) in a portion of the display shelf (12) remote from the wall (17) and the second refrigerating part (41) is configured for realising a larger refrigeration capacity of the supporting surface (35) than the first refrigerating part (39), wherein the first refrigerating part (39) is configured for cooling the supporting surface (35) in a portion of the display shelf (12) adjacent to the wall (17).

2. A serving counter (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the second refrigerating part (41) is provided at a smaller distance from the supporting surface (35) than the first refrigerating part (39).

3. A serving counter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a ratio of a cooling surface area of the second refrigerating part (41) to the portion remote from the wall (17) of the supporting surface (35) is greater than a ratio of a cooling surface area of the first refrigerating part (39) to the portion of the supporting surface (35) adjacent to the wall (17).

4. A serving counter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the refrigerating element (37) comprises an arrangement of pipes (47) provided under the supporting surface (35) for cooling the display shelf (12) in a manner distributed over the display shelf (12), wherein a spacing between adjacent pipes (47) is smaller in the second refrigerating part (41) than in the first refrigerating part (39).

5. A serving counter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first refrigeration unit (15) comprises an inlet (19) extending in the wall (17), which inlet (19) is configured for imparting a downward component into the display space (11) to the gas to be blown into the display space (11) for refrigerating the products that are present in the display space (11) in use from above.

6. A serving counter (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that gas guiding elements (21) are provided at the inlets (19) for guiding the gas to be supplied to the display space (11) in a desired direction.

7. A serving counter (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that an outlet (23) is provided in the wall (17) on the side of the inlet (19) remote from the display shelf (12) for discharging gas that is present in the display space (11) from the display space (11).

8. A serving counter (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that a fan (25) is provided on the side of the outlet (23) remote from the display space (11) for discharging gas from the display space (11), wherein an axis of rotation of the fan (25) extends substantially parallel to the wall (17).

9. A serving counter (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the outlet (23) is connected for fluid flow to the inlet (19) via a first evaporator (29), wherein the first evaporator (29) is configured for cooling the gas to be supplied to the display space (11) through evaporation of a refrigerant.

10. A serving counter (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the first evaporator (29) is configured as a counterflow evaporator that is configured to provide a downward gas flow of the cooled gas to be supplied to the display space (11) via the inlet (19) and an upward flow of refrigerant present in the first evaporator (29).

11. Use of a serving counter (1) according to any one of claims 1 - 10, characterised in that a refrigerant is supplied to the first refrigeration unit (15) for cooling gas to be supplied to the display space (11) and/or to the second refrigeration unit (33) for cooling the supporting surface (35), wherein the refrigerant has a temperature that ranges between -30 °C and -2 °C, preferably between -8 °C and -2 °C, more preferably between -6.5 °C and -5.5 °C.

Ansprüche

1. Bedienungstheke (1) zum Auslegen von gekühlten Produkten in einem Auslageraum (11) von dieser, umfassend:

- ein Auslageregal (12), das den Auslageraum (11) an einer unteren Seite begrenzt, wobei das Auslageregal (12) zum Tragen der auszulegenden Produkte auf einer tragenden Oberfläche (35) von diesem konfiguriert ist,

- eine erste Kühleinheit (15), die zum Zuführen von gekühltem Gas an den Auslageraum (11) über eine Wand (17) des Auslageraums (11) konfiguriert ist, und

- eine zweite Kühleinheit (33), die zum Kühlen der tragenden Oberfläche (35) konfiguriert ist, wobei

die zweite Kühleinheit (33) ein kühlendes Element (37) zum Kühlen der tragenden Oberfläche (35) in einer über das Auslageregal (12) verteilten Weise umfasst,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
das kühlende Element (37) einen ersten kühlenden Teil (39) und einen zweiten kühlenden Teil (41) umfasst, wobei der zweite kühlende Teil (41) zum Kühlen der tragenden Oberfläche (35) in einem von der Wand (17) entfernten Abschnitt des Auslageregals (12) konfiguriert ist und wobei der zweite kühlende Teil (41) zum Realisieren einer größeren Kühlleistung der tragenden Oberfläche (35) als der erste kühlende Teil (39) konfiguriert ist, wobei der erste kühlende Teil (39) zum Kühlen der tragenden Oberfläche (35) in einem an die Wand (17) angrenzenden Abschnitt des Auslageregals (12) konfiguriert ist.

2. Bedienungstheke (1) nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der zweite kühlende Teil (41) in einer kleineren Entfernung von der tragenden Oberfläche (35) vorgesehen ist als der erste kühlende Teil (39).

3. Bedienungstheke (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
ein Verhältnis eines kühlenden Oberflächenbereichs des zweiten kühlenden Teils (41) zu dem von der Wand (17) entfernten Abschnitt der tragenden Oberfläche (35) größer als ein Verhältnis eines kühlenden Oberflächenbereichs des ersten kühlenden Teils (39) zu dem an die Wand (17) angrenzenden Abschnitt der tragenden Oberfläche (35) ist.

4. Bedienungstheke (1) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
das kühlende Element (37) eine Anordnung von Rohren (47) umfasst, die unter der tragenden Oberfläche (35) zum Kühlen des Auslageregals (12) in einer über das Auslageregal (12) verteilten Weise vorgesehen sind, wobei ein Abstand zwischen benachbarten Rohren (47) in dem zweiten kühlenden Teil (41) kleiner als in dem ersten kühlenden Teil (39) ist.

5. Bedienungstheke (1) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die erste Kühleinheit (15) einen sich in die Wand (17) erstreckenden Einlass (19) umfasst, der konfiguriert ist, um dem in den Auslageraum (11) zu blasenden Gas zum Kühlen der sich in dem Auslageraum (11) befindenden Produkte im Gebrauch von oben eine nach unten gerichtete Komponente in den Auslageraum (11) zu verleihen.

6. Bedienungstheke (1) nach Anspruch 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
Gasführungselemente (21) an den Einlässen (19) vorgesehen sind zum Führen des dem Auslageraum (11) zuzuführenden Gases in eine gewünschte Richtung.

7. Bedienungstheke (1) nach Anspruch 5 oder 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
ein Auslass (23) in der Wand (17) auf der Seite des Einlasses (19) entfernt von dem Auslageregal (12) vorgesehen ist zum Austreten von Gas, das sich in dem Auslageraum (11) befindet, aus dem Auslageraum (11).

8. Bedienungstheke (1) nach Anspruch 7,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
ein Ventilator (25) an der Seite des Auslasses (23) entfernt von dem Auslageraum (11) vorgesehen ist zum Austreten von Gas aus dem Auslageraum (11), wobei sich eine Rotationsachse des Ventilators (25) im Wesentlichen parallel zu der Wand (17) erstreckt.

9. Bedienungstheke (1) nach Anspruch 7 oder 8,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Auslass (23) mit dem Einlass (19) über einen ersten Verdampfer (29) für fluide Strömungen verbunden ist, wobei der erste Verdampfer (29) zum Kühlen des dem Auslageraum (11) zuzuführenden Gases durch Verdampfung eines Kühlmittels konfiguriert ist.

10. Bedienungstheke (1) nach Anspruch 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der erste Verdampfer (29) als Gegenstromverdampfer konfiguriert ist, der konfiguriert ist, um eine nach unten gerichteten Gasströmung des gekühlten, dem Auslageraum (11) zuzuführenden Gases über den Einlass (19) und einen nach oben gerichteten Strom von sich in dem ersten Verdampfer (29) befindenden Kühlmittel bereitzustellen.

11. Verwendung einer Bedienungstheke (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
ein Kühlmittel der ersten Kühleinheit (15) zum Kühlen von dem Auslageraum (11) zuzuführendem Gas und/oder der zweiten Kühleinheit (33) zum Kühlen der tragenden Oberfläche (35) zugeführt wird, wobei das Kühlmittel eine Temperatur aufweist, die zwischen -30 °C und -2 °C, vorzugsweise zwischen -8 °C und -2 °C, weiter vorzugsweise zwischen -6,5 °C und -5,5 °C, liegt.

Revendications

1. Comptoir de service (1) pour présenter des produits réfrigérés dans un espace de présentation (11) de celui-ci, comprenant un présentoir (12) qui délimite l'espace de présentation (11) sur un côté inférieur, lequel présentoir (12) est configurée pour supporter les produits à présenter sur une surface de support (35) de celui-ci, une première unité de réfrigération (15) configurée pour fournir un gaz refroidi à l'espace de présentation (11) via une paroi (17) de l'espace de présentation (11) et une deuxième unité de réfrigération (33) configurée pour refroidir la surface de support (35), où la deuxième unité de réfrigération (33) comprend un élément réfrigérant (37) pour refroidir la surface de support (35) de manière répartie sur le présentoir (12), caractérisé en ce que l'élément réfrigérant (37) comprend une première partie réfrigérante (39) et une deuxième partie réfrigérante (41), où la deuxième partie réfrigérante (41) est configurée pour refroidir la surface de support (35) dans une partie du présentoir (12) éloignée de la paroi (17) et la deuxième partie réfrigérante (41) est configurée pour avoir une capacité de réfrigération de la surface de support (35) plus grande que celle de la première partie réfrigérante (39), où la première partie réfrigérante (39) est configurée pour refroidir la surface de support (35) dans une partie du présentoir (12) adjacente à la paroi (17).

2. Comptoir de service (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la deuxième partie réfrigérante (41) est prévue à une distance par rapport à la surface de support (35) plus petite que celle séparant la première partie réfrigérante (39) et la surface de support (35).

3. Comptoir de service (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce qu'un rapport d'une superficie de refroidissement de la deuxième partie réfrigérante (41) sur la partie éloignée de la paroi (17) de la surface de support (35) est supérieur à un rapport d'une superficie de refroidissement de la première partie réfrigérante (39) sur la partie de la surface de support (35) adjacente à la paroi (17).

4. Comptoir de service (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'élément réfrigérant (37) comprend un agencement de tuyaux (47) prévus sous la surface de support (35) pour refroidir le présentoir (12) de manière répartie sur le présentoir (12), où un espacement entre des tuyaux adjacents (47) est plus petit dans la deuxième partie réfrigérante (41) que dans la première partie réfrigérante (39).

5. Comptoir de service (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la première unité de réfrigération (15) comprend une entrée (19) s'étendant dans la paroi (17), laquelle entrée (19) est configurée pour conférer une composante descendante dans l'espace de présentation (11) au gaz à souffler dans l'espace de présentation (11) pour réfrigérer les produits présents dans l'espace de présentation (11) lors de l'utilisation par le haut.

6. Comptoir de service (1) selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que des éléments de guidage de gaz (21) sont prévus au niveau des entrées (19) pour guider le gaz à fournir jusqu'à l'espace de présentation (11) dans une direction souhaitée.

7. Comptoir de service (1) selon la revendication 5 ou 6, caractérisé en ce qu'une sortie (23) est prévue dans la paroi (17) sur le côté de l'entrée (19) loin du présentoir (12) pour évacuer le gaz présent dans l'espace de présentation (11) de l'espace de présentation (11).

8. Comptoir de service (1) selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce qu'un ventilateur (25) est prévu sur le côté de la sortie (23) loin de l'espace de présentation (11) pour évacuer le gaz de l'espace de présentation (11), où un axe de rotation du ventilateur (25) s'étend de manière sensiblement parallèle à la paroi (17).

9. Comptoir de service (1) selon la revendication 7 ou 8, caractérisé en ce que la sortie (23) est reliée, pour l'écoulement de fluide, à l'entrée (19) par un premier évaporateur (29), où le premier évaporateur (29) est configuré pour refroidir le gaz à fournir à l'espace de présentation (11) par évaporation d'un réfrigérant.

10. Comptoir de service (1) selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que le premier évaporateur (29) est configuré comme un évaporateur à contre-courant qui est configuré pour fournir un écoulement de gaz descendant du gaz refroidi à fournir à l'espace de présentation (11) par l'entrée (19) et un écoulement ascendant de réfrigérant présent dans le premier évaporateur (29).

11. Utilisation d'un comptoir de service (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisée en ce qu'un réfrigérant est fourni à la première unité de réfrigération (15) pour refroidir le gaz à fournir à l'espace de présentation (11) et/ou à la deuxième unité de réfrigération (33) pour refroidir la surface de support (35), où le réfrigérant a une température comprise entre - 30°C et -2°C, de préférence entre -8°C et -2°C, plus préférablement entre - 6,5°C et -5,5°C.

Drawing