Soft-coated glass pane refrigerator door construction and method of making same

Abstract

A door for a refrigerator display case is provided. The door includes a glass panel having a surface coated with a low-emissivity soft coating. A refrigerator display case is also provided. The display case has a refrigerated enclosure and a door with three glass panels. The middle glass panel is coated with a low-emissivity soft coating.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to door constructions, and in particular, those used for refrigerated display cases. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Commercial refrigerators and refrigerated display cases (coolers and freezers) are used in markets, food vending operations, liquor stores and the like for preserving freshness and attractively displaying products to the consumer. Typically, such display cases have a refrigerated enclosure and an opening that is sealed by a door that the consumer can open to retrieve the desired product. [0003] The energy required to operate refrigerated display cases can be substantial. Thus, it is generally desirable to improve the thermal performance of the display case by reducing the amount of heat transferred from the surroundings to the refrigerated enclosure. However, in addition to insulating the refrigerated enclosure from ambient conditions, the display case doors provide a customer with a means of vie...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a door for a refrigerated display case is provided. The door comprises a glass panel having first and second surfaces, wherein the first surface is coated with a low emissivity soft coating. In describing the glass panels, the surface closest to the customer, i.e. the outside, is referred to as the first surface, and the inner surface is referred to as the second surface. The coated surface preferably has an emissivity of not more than about 0.1. An emissivity of not more than about 0.05 is more preferable and an emissivity of not more than about 0.03 is especially preferred.

[0007] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a refrigerated display case having three glass panels is provided. Each panel has first and second surfaces, and one of the surfaces is coated with a low-emissivity soft coating. The coated surface preferably has an emissivity of not more than about 0.1. An emissivity of not more than about 0.05 is more preferable and an emissivity of not more than about 0.03 is especially preferred.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the three panels comprise first, second and third glass panels, wherein the first glass panel is located nearest the customer. In additional preferred embodiments, the first surface of the second panel is coated with a low emissivity soft coating. In other preferred embodiments, the first and second surfaces of the second glass panel are coated with a low-emissivity soft coating.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerated display case is provided.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, because the interior space of the refrigerated enclosure is typically maintained at a temperature well below the dew point of the ambient air, condensation frequently occurs on the glass panes of the doors.

Such condensation can drip onto the floor, potentially causing a slipping hazard.

It can also cause the glass panes to fog up, thereby impairing the customers' ability to view the products in the display case.

However, this approach also affects the thermal performance of the display case by increasing the energy required to operate it.

As a result, the use of such hard coated constructions is costly.

Images