FR3110831A1 - Display device for fresh products, and refrigerated display system comprising such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

Display device (1) for fresh products, comprising a display tray (2) horizontal or inclined with respect to the horizontal, a display plate (5), substantially vertical, behind and above the tray (2), the plate (5) and the tray (2) being configured to be refrigerated. Abstract Figure: Fig. 3

Description

Display device for fresh products, and refrigerated display system comprising such a device

The invention relates to the field of furniture elements for the presentation of fresh products. The invention relates in particular to a display device for fresh products and a display system comprising such a device.

In this field, display devices are generally offered with fixed trays on a support. Ice cubes or crushed ice can be distributed in the tray and the products to be presented can be placed on the ice cubes or ice to keep them cool.

Unfortunately, during prolonged use, devices of this type involve melting ice cubes or ice which must be replaced regularly. In addition, this type of device generates significant water flows on the ground or at the level of the support of the device due to melting. The user must therefore regularly empty or mop up this water, which can be tedious.

In addition, this type of device does not offer enough presentation options outside of the tray.

Thus, a first objective of the invention is to propose a display device allowing the simple and effective cooling of products presented for sale, which are spread out on a cooled display surface.

A second objective is to propose a presentation device that can use ice for prolonged use, which is easier to use, particularly with regard to melting and replacing the ice and the water to be cleaned.

A third objective is to provide a chilled display device having several options for displaying various products.

To achieve these objectives, the invention proposes a display device for fresh products, comprising a display tray that is horizontal or inclined with respect to the horizontal, a display plate which can comprise a shelf, the said plate being substantially vertical, posterior and above the tray, said display device being characterized in that the plate and the tray are configured to be cooled by a heat transfer fluid. Compared to a device in which only the tray is refrigerated, the arrangement according to the invention allows improved cooling. This cooling can be obtained by the circulation of a heat transfer fluid in channels arranged in said plate and said plate.

The cooling efficiency can be improved by limiting said tray by rims which surround it at least partially, configured to form with said tray a presentation tray. This stocking can contain ice to cool products displayed for sale. At least one of said edges can be foldable, typically at the level of the plate or below the plate.

Advantageously, said tray and/or said plate comprise at least one means for draining water.

Advantageously, the arrangement of the device including a tray with rims, one rim of which is foldable, associated with the refrigerated tray, makes it possible to use a bed of ice for prolonged use. Thus, the display device is substantially easier to use than in the prior art. In addition, the water evacuation means make it possible to collect the water, for example to evacuate it. In addition, retrieving the ice is facilitated by the folding edge.

Furthermore, the plate may comprise at least one shelf, making it possible to display additional objects.

According to other aspects taken separately, or combined according to all the technically feasible combinations:

• the folding edge comprises a front equipped with one or more hinges; and or
• the tray and/or the plate are refrigerated by means of at least one tray coil equipping the tray, and/or at least one plate coil equipping the plate, said coil being connected to a coolant refrigerant unit; and or
• the display device comprises a box whose plate forms the upper part, the box forming a storage structure and/or a display structure and/or a housing for the refrigerating unit; and or
• the means for draining water from the tray comprises a water draining grid at the front edge; and or
• the water draining means of the plate comprises a draining groove; and or
• the plate is mounted folding; and or
• the shelves of the plate are configured to receive bottles; and or
• the display device further comprises additional means for confining the cold air, such as at least one vertical wall, or a rim which extends from the upper edge of the plate forwards; and or
• the display device further comprises a nebulizer device vaporizing above the tray; and or
• the display device comprises handles and rolling means.

The invention further relates to a refrigerated display system comprising a refrigerated display device according to the invention, characterized in that it is equipped with ice on the tray.

The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which:

schematically illustrates a view in space of a display device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

schematically illustrates the rear of the display device of Figure 1;

schematically illustrates the display device of Figures 1 and 2 having a folded edge; And

schematically illustrates a side view of the display device of Figures 1 to 3 with a side panel removed to illustrate the interior of the case; this display has an option with nebulization diffusers not provided for in figures 1 to 3.

The invention relates to furniture elements for product presentations. The invention relates in particular to a display device 1 particularly suitable for presenting fresh products, for example for a merchant or trade display.

In a typical embodiment, the display device 1 has a grip on the ground which is rectangular, and can have a width typically comprised between approximately 1100 mm and approximately 1500 mm, a height comprised between approximately 1550 mm and approximately 1,900 cm, a depth between approximately 850 mm and 1,000 mm. Other sizes can be considered. The device typically comprises a structure made of tubes or metal profiles, as can be seen in particular in Figure 2.

More specifically, the display device 1 comprises a display tray 2, which is one of its essential elements. The presentation tray 2 is configured to receive products to be presented. These are typically fresh products or products to be kept fresh, packaged or not. This can be, for example, packaged products, for example bottles or beverage cans. These may be fresh, perishable products, such as fruit and/or vegetables, fresh fish and/or seafood, meat (in trays or in bulk) and/or charcuterie products. Other products can be envisaged within the scope of the invention.

To facilitate the presentation to passers-by in front of the device 1, the plate 2 can be tilted downwards and forwards. For example, the top forms an angle of approximately 8° with the horizontal. Thus, passers-by can have a better view of the products placed on the plate 2.

To keep the products fresh, the device 1 is configured to receive ice on the tray 2, in particular a bed of crushed ice; the latter may typically have a depth of between about 40 mm and about 100 mm. The products are then placed on ice and/or at least partially covered with ice.

In order to maintain a thick bed of ice, it is preferable to have a box type structure. Consequently, the device 1 comprises vertical rims 3, 3a around the tray 2 so as to form a tray with the tray 2. Thus, the ice cream can be placed in the tray over a significant height. We can talk about a presentation tray.

Advantageously, the arrangement of the device 1 including a tray with rims 3, 3a makes it possible to use ice to present the products.

In the preferred variant, the vertical flanges 3, 3a are flat. We can therefore also speak of facades. Sealing means can be provided such as seals, which can be made of elastic material.

Three vertical edges 3, 3a are preferably provided: these are side edges 3 to the right and to the left of the plate 2, or side facades; and an anterior edge 3a or anterior facade.

According to one aspect, a vertical rim 3a is foldable at the level of the tray 2, or below the tray 2 as can be illustrated in Figure 3. Advantageously, recovering the ice is facilitated by the folding rim 3a. This also facilitates the cleaning of the tray 2. Thus, the display device 1 is significantly easier to use than in the prior art. In particular, the folding edge 3a comprises a front equipped with one or preferably several hinges 4. The front edge 3a is then folded down by pivoting it forwards and then downwards. This can be illustrated in Figure 3.

In a variant not shown in the figures, the front edge 3a can only be folded over a small part of its width; this small part can be located at one of the ends of the front edge 3a, or on the contrary towards the middle. This can make it easier to empty tray 2; in particular the user can use a squeegee to push the melted ice into a bucket placed below the folded part. This variant in which a small width of the front edge 3a can be folded down can also be combined with the variant in which the edge 3a can be folded down over its entire width; this gives the user several cleaning options.

Regarding the rear part of the container, the display device 1 further comprises a presentation plate 5 with shelves 6, behind and above the plate 2. In an advantageous embodiment, the shelves 6 measure for example approximately 150 mm in length. depth, and may be height adjustable, and/or a shelf 6 may be mounted at a height between about 1050 mm and about 1250 mm from the floor (optional) in a removable manner. Likewise, a second shelf can be mounted at a height between about 1300 mm and about 1500 mm from the ground. Plate 5 is substantially vertical.

Advantageously, the plate 5 makes it possible to present more products by the shelves 6, and products of a different type. Preferably, the shelves 6 of the plate 5 are configured to receive bottles, drink cans, yoghurt pots, fruit salad pot, or other cylindrical container.

In a variant, the shelves 6 have a rim 7, which can be transparent, such as Plexiglas; its height can for example be about 80 mm. The edge 7 extends along the ends of the shelf 6 and makes it possible to prevent the products from falling from the shelf 6.

The display device 1 is refrigerated specifically at the level of the tray 2 and the plate 5.

In particular, tray 2 is configured to be refrigerated. Thus, in the preferred variant, tray 2 is refrigerated by means of at least one tray coil 8 fitted to tray 2.

Similarly, plate 5 is preferably refrigerated by means of at least one plate coil 9 fitted to plate 5. Thus, products such as bottles can be refrigerated by contact with plate 5.

Advantageously, the rim 7 makes it possible to retain the cold and better cool the bottles. Specifically, it retains cold air around products stored on shelf 6, increasing cooling efficiency. The cold air ends up overflowing above edge 7 of shelf 6, and will slowly descend onto shelf 2.

The coils 8, 9 are connected to a refrigerant unit 10 with heat transfer fluid. It is preferably the same refrigerant group for plate 2 and plate 5.

Advantageously, the refrigerated tray 2 makes it possible to keep the ice cream in prolonged use. In particular, the refrigeration system is configured to maintain tray 2 at approximately 0.5°C. In addition, cooling allows good preservation of products and reduces microbial proliferation on fresh products.

According to one aspect, the plate comprises at least one means for draining water, in particular, a grid 11 for draining water at the front edge. A corresponding exhaust pipe 12 can be shown in Figure 4.

Furthermore, according to one aspect, the plate 5 comprises at least one water evacuation means, in particular an evacuation groove 13 at its lower portion. Advantageously, the water evacuation means 11, 13 make it possible to collect the water, for example to evacuate it. Thus, the water from the melted ice or the condensation can flow under the grid 11 and be evacuated without leaving traces around the display device 1. The evacuation means 11, 13 can be designed so as to collect water in a tank (not shown in the figures) preferably located in the box 14, or they can be connected to a sewer drain.

The display according to the invention has many advantages. It allows an attractive presentation of products that require refrigeration. Cooling uses two cooled surfaces, one vertical, the other horizontal or slightly inclined. It is static cold based on natural convection and radiation, without artificial ventilation. Cold containment can be further improved by the addition of a vertical ledge, as described above, and/or by the addition of side vertical walls or other means, as will be described below. -below.

According to a variant, the display device 1 comprises a box 14 whose plate 2 forms the upper part. The housing 14 can be configured to form a housing for the refrigerant unit 10. For example, the refrigerant unit 10 can be housed at a rear and central part of the housing 14. This can be illustrated by figure 2.

Alternatively or in combination, the box 14 can be configured to form a product storage structure. For example, storage for products to be presented can be provided in the box.

Alternatively or in combination, the box 14 can be configured to form a display structure. For example, a display of the details of the products or of distinctive elements such as a sign, can be made on a front panel 15 of the box 14. Said front panel can comprise a display screen (not mounted in the figures).

According to a variant, the plate 5 is hinged mounted on the rest of the display device 1, for example forwards above the plate 2. One or more hinges 16 can be provided for this purpose. A folding plate 5 makes it possible to limit the size of the display device 1. It can therefore be easily stored. Of course, a removable plate 5 can be considered for the same purpose.

According to a variant, the display device 1 further comprises a nebulization device (not shown) vaporizing above the plate 2. In particular, the nebulization device comprises one or preferably several diffusers 20 projecting a cloud of mist above above the plate 2. The diffusers 20 can be arranged below the lowest shelf 6 of the plate 5 and/or on the side edges of the display device 1, as can be seen in FIG. 4. Advantageously, this makes it possible to spread a cloud of fog 21 above the products placed on the plate 2, in order to refresh the part of the products on the plate 2 which are not in contact with the ice cream or the plate 2, for a better conservation, and a decrease in microbial proliferation. The mist, cooled by plate 2 and by the partial evaporation of the droplets that compose it, creates a thermally insulating blanket above plate 2, which further improves the preservation of the bed of ice and the products deposited on this bed of ice.

In this variant, said nebulization device comprises a mist generator (not shown in the figures), which is advantageously housed in the box 14; and which supplies said diffusers 20 with mist. Said generator advantageously comprises a piezoelectric element, capable of generating a mist of water droplets with an average diameter of between 1 μm and 10 μm; such generators are known as such.

According to another variant, the display device 1 comprises handles 17 preferably arranged on the box. The handles 17 make it possible to move the device 1 by pulling or pushing it. To further facilitate the movement of the display device 1, it is equipped with rolling means such as wheels 18 preferably comprising a locking system.

The device according to the invention can be made according to yet other variants, not illustrated in the figures.

Thus, to improve the efficiency of cold air confinement, the device can be provided with at least one vertical wall laterally closing one and/or the angles between the plate and the plate. Said wall extends over all or part of the height of the plate 5), and over all or part of the depth of the plate (2). Said wall can be made of a transparent or translucent material.

For the same purpose, a rim can be provided which extends from the upper edge of the plate forwards.

It is also possible to produce the device according to the invention according to the invention in the form of a confined piece of furniture, with side walls, a roof and a front wall, which can be at least partly transparent; the front wall can be designed to be able to be opened, either by tilting (for example forwards, like a door), or by sliding one of its parts relative to the other.

It is also possible to provide for the shelves to be cooled by a channel in which the heat transfer liquid circulates, this channel being able to be arranged in the shelf.

To facilitate the use of the display device (1) outdoors, it can be provided with means to protect the tray (2) from the sun. Thus, the device can be provided with one or more fixing means for fixing a parasol; these fixing means can be fixed for example on structural elements made of metal tubes or sections mentioned above. The device can be provided with a blind that projects from the upper edge of the plate (5) forwards; this blind can also be fixed on structural elements made of tubes or metal profiles.

It is envisaged that these different variants can, if necessary, be combined.

The invention further relates to a particular refrigerated display system. The system comprises a refrigerated display device 1 as described above is equipped with ice on the tray 2. Advantageously, the ice can be easily removed by tilting the folding edge 3a to slide the ice cream forward from the tray 2, as can be illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 3, possibly using a squeegee; ice and water can be emptied on the ground or, as described above in connection with a constructive variant of the folding rim, in a bucket. This avoids having to retrieve the ice cream from the presentation tray with a device such as a hand shovel to be used repeatedly in a tedious manner.

To validate the performance of the device according to the invention, a plastic bottle of citrus juice of 1 liter was placed in a shelf provided with a rim; the bottle touched the vertical plate whose temperature was set at approximately 1°C. The initial bottle temperature (measured with a thermocouple attached to the outside of the bottle) was 21.2°C, the ambient temperature was 22°C. After two hours of storage on the shelf, in contact with the vertical plate, the external temperature of the bottle was 6° C. on the face in contact with the plate, and 9° C. on the opposite face. The temperature of the juice was 8.7°C.

Claims (11)

Display device (1) for fresh products, comprising a display tray (2) horizontal or inclined with respect to the horizontal, a display plate (5) substantially vertical, posterior to and above the tray (2), characterized in that said plate (5) and said tray (2) are configured to be refrigerated. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises vertical rims (3, 3a) which surround said tray (2), configured to form with said tray (2) a presentation tray. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that a vertical rim (3a) can be folded down at or below the plate (2). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the said tray (2) and/or the said plate (5) comprise at least one water discharge means (11, 12, 13). Refrigerated display device according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the folding rim (3a) comprises a front equipped with one or more hinges (4). Refrigerated display device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tray (2) and/or the plate (5) are refrigerated by means of at least one tray coil (8) fitted to the tray (2), and / or at least one plate coil (9) fitted to the plate (5), said coil (8, 9) being connected to a refrigerant unit (10) with heat transfer fluid. Refrigerated display device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a box (14) whose plate (2) forms the upper part, the box (14) forming a storage structure and/or display structure (15) and/or refrigeration unit housing. Refrigerated display device according to any one of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the means for discharging water from the tray comprises a grid (11) for discharging water at the front edge, and/or the means plate water drain includes a drain groove (13). Refrigerated display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said plate (5) comprises at least one shelf (6), which is preferably configured to receive bottles. Refrigerated display device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises a nebulization device capable of vaporizing above the tray (2). Refrigerated display system comprising a refrigerated display device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is equipped with ice on the tray (2).