Shop around refrigerated merchandiser

Abstract

A refrigerated display case having a front opening for enabling access to products within the display case from a plurality of angular positions with respect to the display case. In order to more readily enable the consumer to obtain access to products within the display case, the opening circumscribes an angle of at least 90.degree. or alternatively, the opening within the case extends continuously through the case so that the case has openings on opposing sides. The refrigerated display case includes a cabinet having top and bottom sections with an air conduit portion interconnecting and extending into the top and bottom sections. Either a single air conduit or two air conduits can be utilized. Arranged within the first air conduit is a refrigeration mechanism and air is circulated through that conduit for providing a band of refrigerated air which includes an inner air curtain across the opening in the case, for cooling the product in the display case. If a second air conduit is included within the display case, that conduit serves to provide a secondary band of air which establishes an outer air curtain across the opening in the display case. The display case is also provided with an ambient air defrost system so that ambient air is drawn through the first air conduit for defrosting the refrigeration mechanism. Finally, the refrigerated display case also can be provided with a compressor unit and a condenser unit so that the case is in effect a self-contained unit.