Pivoting mullion for a temperature-controlled storage device

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;
• and
• an 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.

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;
• and
• an 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.

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, and
• an 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.

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;
• and
• an 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.