APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SINGLE OR MULTIPLE TEMPERATURE ZONE(S) IN REFRIGERATED VENDING MACHINE

• US 20120151947A1
• Filed: 02/28/2012
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fawn Engineering
• Original Assignee: Fawn Engineering
• Inventors: Wittern, Francis A. Jr., Parle, Gerald J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,505,318 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/89
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/007 with forced flow using ducting systems F24F7/06
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/01 Heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/065 with compartments at different temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/005 Combined cooling and heating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/10 Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/105 Heating or cooling means, for temperature and humidity control, for the conditioning of articles and their storage dispensers for food articles requiring a processing by temperature treatment or conditioning before they are ready for dispensing G07F17/0064

Abstract

An automated vending machine that can be selectively configured to include one or several temperature zones. A single refrigeration system and universal interior allows easy and economical assembly into a one, two, or three temperature zone machine. Thermal breaks and dividers are used to partition zones, when needed. The basic vending machine cabinet, dispensers, and controls are not changed between configurations. In one aspect, a universal air duct can be used for all three configurations, with minor changes.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing automated vending of vendible items comprising:

a. a vending machine cabinet combining an interior space for vendible products;

b. dispenser mechanisms that can be actuated by selection of a customer;

c. a refrigeration unit including an evaporator;

d. an inner liner material adapted to either be continuous around substantially the whole product bay in a single temperature zone mode or include at least one thermal break between each temperature zone in the product bay to deter thermal conduction through the liner in a multiple temperature zone mode;

e. a channel or duct can be installed vertically along the space, the channel or duct being enclosed from out or near the evaporator at the bottom of the cabinet to an opening at or near the top of the cabinet in the single temperature zone mode, or divided into segments separated by thermally insulated material to define two or more temperature zones within the product bay in the multiple temperature zone mode;

f. at least one opening to the duct in each zone;

g. a fan to move air from at the evaporator into each temperature zone.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sheet or other air flow diverter can be placed appropriately within the space to direct movement of air conducive to maintaining the temperature in zone or zones and returning air to a fan or refrigeration unit for circulation purposes.

3. A method of maintaining multiple temperature zones within a product space of an automated perishable food vending machine comprising:

a. determining whether one or more different temperature zones is desired in the machine;

b. if one zone is desired, directing air at or near an evaporator of a refrigeration unit into a duct having an inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned generally towards the top of the product space, and air is circulated through the evaporator, into the inlet of the duct, out the outlet of the duct, and generally through the entire product space to maintain a thermostatically controlled temperature generally throughout the single zone;

c. if two zones are desired, placing a thermal barrier between the first and second zone

d. directing air from at or near the evaporator in the duct and then into the first zone and circulating the air back through the evaporator;

e. allowing some air from the duct in the first zone to move to the second zone and circulating that air in the second zone at a thermostatically controlled temperature different than the first zone;

f. so that a lower frozen food temperature zone and a refrigerated food temperature zone above it can be maintained with one refrigerator unit and one air duct.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising;

a. introducing heat into the second zone to maintain a higher temperature than the first zone.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising thermostatically controlling the amount of heat introduced into the second zone.

6. The method of claim 3 further comprising creating a third temperature zone above the second zone by;

a. allowing air from the second zone to move into the third zone;

b. providing thermostatically controlled heat to maintain a third temperature in that zone, different than the second zone, in the third zone.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the first zone is refrigerated at a lower temperature than the second zone, the second zone is maintained at a lower temperature than the third zone.

8. The method of claim 3 wherein the lower temperature of the first zone is in a range to maintain frozen perishables, and the temperature of the second zone is in a range to maintain refrigerated perishables.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the third zone is maintained at a temperature allowable for non-perishables.

10. A method of providing multiple temperature zones in an interior space of a cabinet comprising:

a. partitioning the interior space into plural zones each having a volume of space;

b. circulating non-turbulent controlled flow air at a first cooler temperature in the volume of space in a first of the plural zones;

c. circulating non-turbulent controlled flow air at a second warmer temperature in the volume of space in a second of the plural zones; and

d. heating the air in the second of the plural zones at selected times.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the plural zones comprise two zones.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the partitioning is by a thermally insulated divider with at least three substantially sealed sides.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the circulating non-turbulent controlled flow air comprises one or more of:

a. using flow diverters, curtains, and/or turning vanes;

b. controlling speed and volume of air flow;

c. distributing air across substantially the width of the cabinet;

d. promoting laminar air flow; and

e. controlled buoyancy of air.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising thermostatically controlling temperature in each zone.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein non-turbulent controlled flow air is produced by using a primary air duct that extends substantially across one lateral dimension of the cabinet.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising adding a secondary air duct along or through the primary air duct to route air independently to one of said zones, and controlling opening and closing of the secondary air duct according to a control signal.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the controlled signal is thermostatically actuated or switch-actuated.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the switch actuation is by a switch that responds to the opening and closing of a door on the cabinet.

19. The method of claim 10 wherein the cabinet is a part of a vending machine.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising a plurality of dispensing trays in at least one of the zones spaced apart in the interior of the cabinet.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising openings in the dispensing trays to facilitate movement of air through and between the dispensing trays.

22. The method of claim 13 wherein the turning vanes include one or more openings to allow a controlled amount of air through.

23. A multi-temperature zone cabinet having an interior space comprising:

a. a liner around the interior space;

b. a divider partitioning the interior space into plural zones, each having a volume;

c. a heater at the top of the divider;

d. an air duct having a first end at the bottom of the cabinet and an opposite end at the top of the cabinet and defining a channel that extends substantially across one side of the interior of the cabinet;

e. an opening from the air duct into one of the plural zones at the bottom of the divider;

f. and opening from the air duct into the other of the plural zones at the top of the divider;

g. a fan in the one of the plural zones;

h. a fan in the other of the plural zones;

i. a turning vane in the air duct at the opening at the bottom of the divider;

j. a turning vane in the air duct at the opening at the top of the divider;

k. so that controlled, non-turbulent and laminar flow air flow is promoted in each zone, but at different temperatures.

24. The cabinet of claim 23 comprising a vending machine including an evaporator, a vending machine controller, and one or more dispensing mechanisms.

25. The cabinet of claim 24 further comprising a temperature sensor in each zone in communication with the vending machine controller to control operation of any of the evaporator, the heater, or fans to thermostatically maintain different temperatures in the zones.