초록 ▼

A door for a cold storage locker or other applications includes an inflatable or fluid-filled seal system. The seal system comprises a network of pliable tubular seals that expand as air or another fluid is forced air through the seals. Expansion of the seals provides a more positive seal. To inhibi

A door for a cold storage locker or other applications includes an inflatable or fluid-filled seal system. The seal system comprises a network of pliable tubular seals that expand as air or another fluid is forced air through the seals. Expansion of the seals provides a more positive seal. To inhibit frost from accumulating near the seals, the seals are kept relatively warm by continuously circulating fluid through the seals regardless of whether the door is open or closed. In some cases, the fluid within the seals is heated.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A door adapted to provide a barrier between a first area of colder air and a second area of warmer air, comprising: a door member; a door panel that is movable relative to the door member; an inflatable seal between the door member and the door panel, wherein the inflatable seal define

We claim: 1. A door adapted to provide a barrier between a first area of colder air and a second area of warmer air, comprising: a door member; a door panel that is movable relative to the door member; an inflatable seal between the door member and the door panel, wherein the inflatable seal defines an air inlet and an air outlet and includes an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface defines an elongate air passageway between the air inlet and the air outlet and the outer surface is in contact with the door member, the door panel, the first area of colder air, and the second area of warmer air, wherein the inflatable seal has a first thickness adjacent the first area of colder air and a second thickness adjacent the second area of warmer air, the first thickness being larger than the second thickness; and a blower connected in fluid communication with the inflatable seal, wherein the blower forces the air in series flow from the area of warmer air, through the air inlet, through the elongate air passageway and in direct contact with the inner surface, through the air outlet, and back to the area of warmer air. 2. The door of claim 1, wherein the door member comprises a second door panel that is movable. 3. The door of claim 1, wherein the door is associated with a wall having a doorway, and the door member is stationary and adjacent to the wall. 4. The door of claim 1, wherein the door is associated with a wall and a floor that define a doorway, and the door member comprises an upwardly facing surface of the floor. 5. The door of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the air outlet is situated to discharge at least a portion of the air toward the floor, whereby the air discharged from the outlet may help keep the floor dry. 6. The door of claim 1, wherein the air inlet, the air outlet, and the elongate air passageway remain in fluid communication with the area of warmer air when the door is closed. 7. The door of claim 1, wherein the blower continues to force air through the air passageway when the door is open. 8. The door of claim 1, wherein the blower moves with the door panel. 9. The door of claim 1, further comprising a flexible hose that couples the blower to the inflatable seal. 10. The door of claim 1, wherein the door panel translates relative to the door member. 11. The door of claim 1, wherein the door panel includes an upper edge and a substantially vertical edge, and the inflatable seal includes an L-shaped section that is adjacent to the upper edge and the substantially vertical edge. 12. The door of claim 1, wherein the door panel includes a lower edge and a substantially vertical edge, and the inflatable seal includes an L-shaped section that extends along the lower edge and the substantially vertical edge. 13. The door of claim 1, wherein the air at the air inlet is warmer than the air at the air outlet. 14. The door of claim 1, further comprising a heater in heat transfer relationship with the air being forced through the inflatable seal. 15. The door of claim 1, wherein the first thickness is larger than the second thickness because of thermal insulation disposed adjacent the inner surface of the elongate passageway. 16. A door adapted to provide a barrier between a first area of colder air and a second area of warmer air, the door comprising: a door member; a door panel that is movable relative to the door member; a pliable seal between the door member and the door panel, wherein the pliable seal includes an inner surface that defines an elongate passageway and an outer surface in contact with the door member, the door panel, the first area of colder air, and the second area of warmer air, wherein the pliable seal has a first thickness adjacent the first area of colder air and a second thickness adjacent the second area of warmer air, the first thickness being larger than the second thickness; a fluid disposed inside the pliable seal in contact with the inner surface; and a fluid mover having an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the elongate passageway, wherein the fluid mover forces the fluid to circulate in series through the outlet, through the elongate passageway, through the inlet, and back through the fluid mover. 17. The door of claim 16, wherein the fluid mover comprises a pump. 18. The door of claim 16, wherein the fluid mover comprises a blower. 19. The door of claim 16, further comprising a heater in heat transfer relationship with the fluid. 20. The door of claim 16, wherein the door member comprises a second door panel that is movable. 21. The door of claim 16, wherein the door is associated with a wall having a doorway, and the door member is stationary and adjacent to the wall. 22. The door of claim 16, wherein the door is associated with a wall and a floor that define a doorway, and the door member comprises an upwardly facing surface of the floor. 23. The door of claim 16, wherein the first thickness is larger than the second thickness because of thermal insulation disposed on the pliable seal. 24. A door adapted to provide a barrier between a first area of colder air and a second area of warmer air, the door comprising: a door member; a door panel that is movable relative to the door member; a pliable seal between the door member and the door panel, the pliable seal includes an inner surface that defines an elongate passageway and an outer surface in contact with the door member, the door panel, the first area of colder air, and the second area of warmer air, wherein the pliable seal has a first thickness adjacent the first area of colder air and a second thickness adjacent the second area of warmer air, the first thickness being larger than the second thickness; a fluid disposed inside the pliable seal and in contact with the inner surface; and a heater in heat transfer relationship with the fluid. 25. The door of claim 24, wherein at least a portion of the heater is disposed inside the elongate passageway. 26. The door of claim 24, wherein the fluid is pressurized. 27. The door of claim 24, wherein the door member comprises a second door panel that is movable. 28. The door of claim 24, wherein the door is associated with a wall having a doorway, and the door member is stationary and adjacent to the wall. 29. The door of claim 24, wherein the door is associated with a wall and a floor that define a doorway, and the door member comprises an upwardly facing surface of the floor. 30. The door of claim 24, wherein the first thickness is larger than the second thickness because of thermal insulation disposed adjacent the inner surface of the elongate passageway.