Product display case or hot plate display case having an edge-mounted led array for illuminating a light pipe for illuminating the interior portion of the product display case or hot plate display case, and/or an edge mounted led array for illuminating a glass shelf within the product display case or hot plate display case

A heated product display case or hot plate display case, comprising:

• a framework defining a substantially enclosed internal environment within which products are displayed within said product display case or hot plate display case for viewing by consumers;
• heating structure disposed within said framework of said product display case for providing heat to said substantially enclosed internal environment of said product display case or hot plate display case such that said product display case or said hot plate display case comprises a heated product display case or heated hot plate display case;
• at least one glass shelf, having a first end edge portion, a second opposite end edge portion, an upper surface portion, and a bottom surface portion, disposed within said product display case or hot plate display case for supporting products, to be displayed to consumers, thereon;
• and
• a linear array of LEDs, disposed adjacent to said first end edge portion of said glass shelf for transmitting light into said first end edge portion of said glass shelf such that said light will be transmitted through said glass shelf by means of total internal reflection principles whereby said glass plate effectively comprises a light pipe from which light will be emitted from said upper and lower surface portions of said glass shelf, as well as from said second opposite end edge portion of said glass shelf, for illuminating products disposed upon said shelf disposed within said heated product display case or said heated hot plate display case.