Pivoting mullion for a temperature-controlled storage device
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F25D-023/02
F25D-027/00
A47F-003/04
E06B-007/20
E06B-007/28
F25D-011/00
출원번호
US-0328181
(2014-07-10)
등록번호
US-9506689
(2016-11-29)
발명자
/ 주소
Carbajal, Frank J.
Artwohl, Paul J.
Nicholson, Jeffery W.
출원인 / 주소
Anthony International
대리인 / 주소
Foley & Lardner LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
5인용 특허 :
4
초록▼
A pivoting mullion for a temperature-controlled storage device is provided. The pivoting mullion includes a mullion body pivotally attached to a display case door of the temperature-controlled storage device. The mullion body is rotatable relative to the display case door between a first position wh
A pivoting mullion for a temperature-controlled storage device is provided. The pivoting mullion includes a mullion body pivotally attached to a display case door of the temperature-controlled storage device. The mullion body is rotatable relative to the display case door between a first position when the display case door is open and a second position when the display case door is closed. The mullion body is configured to provide a support surface against which the display case door rests when the mullion body is in the second position and the display case door is closed. The pivoting mullion further includes a lighting element fixed to the mullion body and configured to activate when the display case door is closed. Activation of the lighting element illuminates items within the temperature-controlled storage device such that the items are visible through the display case door when the display case door is closed.
대표청구항▼
1. A pivoting mullion for a temperature-controlled storage device, the pivoting mullion comprising: a mullion body pivotally attached to a display case door of the temperature-controlled storage device, wherein the mullion body is configured to rotate relative to the display case door between a firs
1. A pivoting mullion for a temperature-controlled storage device, the pivoting mullion comprising: a mullion body pivotally attached to a display case door of the temperature-controlled storage device, wherein the mullion body is configured to rotate relative to the display case door between a first position when the display case door is opened and a second position when the display case door is closed, wherein the mullion body is configured to provide a support surface against which the display case door rests when the display case door is closed; anda lighting element fixed to the mullion body and configured to activate when the display case door is closed and deactivate when the display case door is open such that the lighting element emits light when the display case door is closed and does not emit light when the display case door is open, wherein activation of the lighting element illuminates items within the temperature-controlled storage device such that the items are visible through a substantially transparent surface of the display case door when the display case door is closed. 2. The pivoting mullion of claim 1, further comprising: a cam extending from the mullion body; anda cam guide attached to a frame of the temperature-controlled storage device, wherein the cam guide is configured to engage the cam when the display case door is moved toward a closed position, wherein engaging the cam causes the mullion body to rotate toward the second position. 3. The pivoting mullion of claim 2, wherein the cam guide is configured to engage the cam throughout an engagement range, wherein the engagement range is a portion of a complete rotational range of the display case door. 4. The pivoting mullion of claim 1, further comprising: a magnetic coupling configured to bias the mullion body toward the first position and to hold the mullion body in the first position when the display case door is open. 5. The pivoting mullion of claim 1, wherein the mullion body comprises: an extruded shell; andan insulating foam core within the extruded shell. 6. The pivoting mullion of claim 1, further comprising a hinge fixedly attached to the display case door, the hinge comprising: a transverse portion extending substantially horizontally away from the display case door; anda pin extending substantially vertically from the transverse portion, the pin defining an axis of rotation within the mullion body about which the mullion body rotates between the first position and the second position. 7. The pivoting mullion of claim 1, wherein the mullion body is substantially rectangular comprising a first face and a second face substantially perpendicular to the first face, wherein the first face and the second face share an edge; wherein the mullion body includes a continuous opening spanning a portion of the first face, a portion of the shared edge, and a portion of the second face. 8. The pivoting mullion of claim 7, further comprising a hinge fixedly attached to the display case door, the hinge comprising a transverse portion extending substantially horizontally through the continuous opening in the mullion body, wherein the transverse portion extends through the portion of the opening in the first face when the mullion body is in the first position, and wherein the transverse portion extends through the portion of the opening in the second face when the mullion body is in the second position. 9. A pivoting mullion for a temperature-controlled storage device, the pivoting mullion comprising: a mullion body pivotally attached to a door of the temperature-controlled storage device, wherein the mullion body is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position relative to the door, wherein the mullion body is configured to provide a support surface against which the door rests when the mullion body is in the second position and the door is closed;a hinge fixedly attached to the door and comprising a transverse portion extending substantially horizontally through an opening in a horizontal-facing surface of the mullion body, the transverse portion comprising a magnet housed therein; andan insert located within the mullion body and vertically offset from the transverse portion of the hinge, wherein the insert is configured to rotate into vertical alignment with the magnet when the mullion body is rotated into the first position and to rotate out of vertical alignment with the magnet when the mullion body is rotated into the second position;wherein the magnet is configured to apply a magnetic force vertically between the hinge and the insert, the magnetic force biasing the mullion body toward the first position and holding the mullion body in the first position when the door is open. 10. The pivoting mullion of claim 9, wherein the hinge further comprises a pin extending substantially vertically from the transverse portion, the pin defining an axis of rotation within the mullion body about which the mullion body rotates between the first position and the second position. 11. The pivoting mullion of claim 9, wherein the door is a display case door for a temperature-controlled display case. 12. The pivoting mullion of claim 9, further comprising: a cam extending from the mullion body; anda cam guide attached to a frame of the door, wherein the cam guide is configured to engage the cam when the door is moved toward a closed position, wherein engaging the cam causes the mullion body to rotate toward the second position. 13. The pivoting mullion of claim 9, wherein the mullion body rotates approximately 90 degrees between the first position and the second position. 14. The pivoting mullion of claim 9, wherein the mullion body comprises: an extruded shell; andan insulating foam core within the extruded shell. 15. A pivoting mullion for a temperature-controlled storage device, the pivoting mullion comprising: a mullion body comprising an extruded shell and an insulating foam core within the extruded shell, wherein the mullion body is pivotally attached to a door of the temperature-controlled storage device and configured to rotate between a first position and a second position relative to the door, wherein the mullion body is configured to provide a support surface against which the door rests when the mullion body is in the second position and the door is closed,a hinge fixedly attached to the door and comprising a transverse portion extending suhstantially horizontally through an opening in the mullion body, the transverse portion comprising a magnet housed therein; andan insert located within the mullion body and vertically offset from the transverse portion of the hinge, wherein the insert is configured to rotate into vertical alignment with the maunet when the mullion body is rotated into the first position and to rotate out of vertical alignment with the magnet when the mullion body is rotated into the second position;wherein the magnet is configured to apply a magnetic force vertically between the hinge and the insert, the magnetic force biasing the mullion body toward the first position and holding the mullion body in the first position when the door is open. 16. The pivoting mullion of claim 15, further comprising: a cam extending from the mullion body; anda cam guide attached to a frame of the door, wherein the cam guide is configured to engage the cam when the door is moved toward a closed position, wherein engaging the cam causes the mullion body to rotate toward the second position. 17. The pivoting mullion of claim 15, wherein the hinge further comprises a pin extending substantially vertically from the transverse portion, the pin defining an axis of rotation within the mullion body about which the mullion body rotates between the first position and the second position. 18. The pivoting mullion of claim 15, wherein the door is a display case door for a temperature-controlled display case, the display case door comprising an insulated glass panel. 19. The pivoting mullion of claim 15, wherein the hinge is pivotally attached to the mullion body; the pivoting mullion further comprising a mounting bracket having a first end attached to the hinge and a second end attached to an inward-facing surface of a frame segment of the door, wherein the mullion body is pivotally attached to the door via the hinge and the mounting bracket,wherein the mounting bracket is configured to attach to a display case door having an insulated glass panel. 20. A pivoting mullion for a temperature-controlled storage device, the pivoting mullion comprising: a mullion body pivotally attached to a door of the temperature-controlled storage device and configured to move along with the door between an open position and a closed position, wherein the mullion body comprises a substantially planar surface against which the door rests in the closed position;a fixture attached to a door frame of the temperature-controlled storage device and configured to engage the mullion body when the door is moved between the open position and the closed position, wherein engaging the mullion body causes the substantially planar surface to rotate relative to the door;a hinge fixedly attached to the door and comprising a transverse portion extending substantially horizontally through an opening in a horizontal-facing surface of the mullion body, the transverse portion comprising a magnet housed therein, andan insert located within the mullion body and vertically offset from the transverse portion of the hinge, wherein the insert is configured to rotate into vertical alignment with the magnet when the mullion body is rotated into a first position and to rotate out of vertical alignment with the magnet when the mullion body is rotated into a second position;wherein the magnet is configured to apply a magnetic force vertically between the hinge and the insert, the magnetic force biasing the mullion body toward the first position and holding the mullion body in the first position when the door is in the open position. 21. The pivoting mullion of claim 20, further comprising: a cam projecting substantially vertically from the mullion body;wherein the fixture comprises a cam guide attached to the door frame and configured to engage the cam when the door is moved between the open position and the closed position. 22. The pivoting mullion of claim 20, wherein the fixture comprises a cam projecting substantially vertically from the door frame and configured to engage the mullion body when the door is moved between the open position and the closed position. 23. The pivoting mullion of claim 20, further comprising: a pin inserted into the mullion body and defining an axis of rotation within a perimeter of the mullion body about which the mullion body rotates relative to the door. 24. The pivoting mullion of claim 20, wherein engaging the mullion body causes the mullion body to rotate relative to the door between: the first position in which the substantially planar surface is substantially aligned with a side surface of the door; andthe second position in which the substantially planar surface is substantially aligned with a rear surface of the door and substantially perpendicular to the side surface of the door. 25. A temperature-controlled storage device comprising: a temperature-controlled space;a door frame defining an opening into the temperature-controlled space;a first door movable relative to the door frame between an open position and a closed position;a fixture coupled to the door frame;a pivoting mullion rotatably attached to the first door and configured to engage the fixture when the first door is moved between the open position and the closed position, wherein engaging the fixture causes the pivoting mullion to rotate relative to the first door;a hinge fixedly attached to the first door and comprising a transverse portion extending substantially horizontally through an opening in the pivoting mullion, the transverse portion comprising a magnet housed therein; andan insert located within the pivoting mullion and vertically offset from the transverse portion of the hinge, wherein the insert is configured to rotate into vertical alignment with the magnet when the pivotinu mullion is rotated into a first position and to rotate out of vertical alignment with the magnet when the pivoting mullion is rotated into a second position;wherein the magnet is configured to apply a magnetic force vertically between the hinge and the insert, the magnetic force biasing the pivoting mullion toward the first position and holding the pivoting mullion in the first position when the first door is in the open position. 26. The temperature-controlled storage device of claim 25, further comprising: a second door movable relative to the door frame between an open position and a closed position;wherein the pivoting mullion provides a support surface against which both the first door and the second door rest in the closed position. 27. The temperature-controlled storage device of claim 26, wherein the first door moves within a first space and the second door moves within a second space separate from and adjacent to the first space, wherein the first space and the second space are bounded by a substantially vertical plane between the first door and the second door; wherein rotating the pivoting mullion relative to the first door causes the pivoting mullion to extend through the substantially vertical plane as the first door is moved into the closed position. 28. The temperature-controlled storage device of claim 25, wherein the pivoting mullion comprises: a mullion body configured to provide a support surface against which the first door rests when the first door is in the closed position;wherein engaging the fixture causes the support surface to rotate into alignment with the first door when the first door is moved into the closed position. 29. The temperature-controlled storage device of claim 25, wherein moving the first door between the open position and the closed position comprises rotating the first door relative to the door frame about an axis of rotation adjacent to a first edge of the first door; wherein the pivoting mullion is pivotally attached to the first door along a second edge of the first door opposite the first edge. 30. The temperature-controlled storage device of claim 25, wherein moving the first door between the open position and the closed position comprises rotating the first door in a first direction of rotation relative to the door frame; wherein rotating the first door in a first direction of rotation relative to the door frame causes the pivoting mullion to rotate relative to the door in a second direction of rotation opposite the first direction of rotation.
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