Produce merchandiser

Abstract

A produce merchandiser for displaying produce, such as fresh fruit and the like, at a controlled temperature. The produce merchandiser includes a bin receiving structure and a bin for containing produce. The bin receiving structure has a base, and a refrigeration unit mounted on the base. The refrigeration unit supplies cooled air to the produce. The bin receiving structure also includes a mast mounted to the base and extending substantially vertically therefrom. A lifting mechanism, comprising a carriage and an actuator, is also provided. The carriage includes at least one bin floor support arm, and is adapted to travel vertically on the mast. The actuator is for raising and lowering the carriage. The bin of the produce merchandiser is removably installed on the base unit. The bin includes a first side wall and a second side wall, the first and second side walls spaced apart from and parallel to one another, a first end wall substantially perpendicular to the first and second side walls; and a second end wall spaced apart from and parallel to the first end wall. At least one support arm aperture is provided in the first end wall of the bin for receiving the bin floor support arm. The bin additionally includes a movable floor, which is engageable with the carriage of the bin receiving structure. The produce merchandiser of the present invention provides an apparatus for displaying a bin of produce, while at the same time maintaining the ideal temperature of the produce by providing cooled air to the produce. The floor of the bin can be raised or lowered as needed to present the contents of the bin at an optimum height.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.