| 摘要 |
A vertical cabinet (10) that has the dual function of transferring heat or cold to food articles within that cabinet (10). The cabinet comprises a plurality of vertically spaced-apart support shelves of a conductive material for supporting food articles. One aspect of the invention provides for an energy circulation element placed at the upper end of the cabinet for circulating energy through the shelves, and particularly through a serpentine shape thermalizing means or power channel enclosed entirely within the shelf. Inlet and outlet connectors provide for entry of the energy into and out of the shelves. Supply conduits are provided within the cabinet for transferring the energy from the energy circulation element to the thermalizing means. Return conduits within the cabinet facilitate return of the energy to the energy circulation element. Another aspect of the invention provides for a refrigeration/cooling assembly means connected to the cabinet. The cooling assembly comprises a heating/cooling selector attachment unit attached directly to the back manifold of the apparatus and a refrigeration/cooling unit (180) connected to the attachment unit. A chilled fluid transfer media flows from the cooling unit to the attachment unit to circulate through the shelves of the cabinet and then return to the cooling unit for recooling. The cooling assembly achieves the more efficient conduction cooling of food articles in the cabinet rather than the less efficient conventional convection cooling. |
