EP1588650B1 - Refrigerated vending machine - Google Patents
Refrigerated vending machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1588650B1 EP1588650B1 EP20050008193 EP05008193A EP1588650B1 EP 1588650 B1 EP1588650 B1 EP 1588650B1 EP 20050008193 EP20050008193 EP 20050008193 EP 05008193 A EP05008193 A EP 05008193A EP 1588650 B1 EP1588650 B1 EP 1588650B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- refrigerated
- vending machine
- duct
- delivery
- openings
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 claims description 28
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000004069 differentiation Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 10
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 230000002860 competitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004321 preservation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
- G07F9/10—Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling
- G07F9/105—Heating or cooling means, for temperature and humidity control, for the conditioning of articles and their storage
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D17/042—Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/045—Air flow control arrangements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
- F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
- F25D2317/065—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air return
- F25D2317/0654—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air return through the side
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
- F25D2317/066—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air supply
- F25D2317/0664—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air supply from the side
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2500/00—Problems to be solved
- F25D2500/02—Geometry problems
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a refrigerated vending machine.
- Some documents disclosing refrigerating means are: US 2,788,641 , disclosing a home freezer operating at 0°C and below and incorporating a forced cold air circulation system; US 2,907,186 , disclosing an upright freezer in which the cold air is forced from side to side across the open front storage compartments of the cabinet; US 2,152,291 , disclosing a display case equipped with refrigeration for the storage and display of perishable merchandise, having means for providing for substantially uniform temperatures in all parts of the display compartment and US 2,533,913 , disclosing a refrigerated vegetable display case and spray system, in which the vegetables are arrayed on shelves in an insulated and automatically refrigerated cabinet and sprayed with precooled water at predetermined intervals through electrically operated means. None of the previous documents however discloses a refrigerated vending machine.
- Refrigerated vending machines are currently widely used commercially which allow the user to remove the selected product and ensure that such product, while inside the vending machine, remains in optimum temperature conditions for its preservation.
- the refrigeration devices that are generally used are constituted by a refrigeration unit, which is arranged below the containment frame and through which the stream of air intended to be introduced in the refrigeration chamber is forcedly fed.
- the refrigerated air stream is forcedly fed through a delivery duct, which is formed at the rear wall of the containment frame.
- the delivery duct has, at one of its walls directed toward the refrigeration chamber, a plurality of openings designed to be crossed by the stream of refrigerated air, so as to allow such stream to pass through the refrigeration chamber, keeping the products arranged on the trays at the optimum temperature.
- the stream of refrigerated air after passing through the refrigeration chamber, strikes the front wall of the containment frame, which is generally made of glass in order to allow the user to view the products that can be dispensed by the vending machine.
- the glass pane that constitutes the front panel by being struck internally by a stream of air at a temperature that is significantly lower than the external temperature, is subject to formation of condensation at its surface that faces the outside of the refrigeration chamber.
- the aim of the present invention is to eliminate or at least reduce drastically the drawbacks noted above in known types of refrigerated vending machines.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerated vending machine that allows to optimize refrigeration.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerated vending machine that is capable of ensuring that no condensation forms at the external surface of the glass pane that constitutes the front panel.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigerated vending machine that allows to differentiate simply and effectively the temperature of various regions of the refrigeration chamber.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerated vending machine that has a very simple structure, is highly durable, easy to use and competitive in terms of production cost, so that its use is advantageous also from an economical standpoint.
- a refrigerated vending machine generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a containment frame 2, which has a rear closure wall 3, two side walls 4a and 4b, and a front panel 5.
- the front panel 5 is provided with at least one at least partially transparent portion 5a, generally constituted by a glass pane.
- the containment frame 2 defines internally a refrigeration chamber 6, which is formed laterally by two lateral shoulders 7 and in which there are at least two trays (not shown in the figures), which lie on a substantially horizontal plane and are superimposed.
- the trays can be supported slidingly, for example, by vertical posts, but also directly by the lateral shoulders 7 or by the rear closure wall 3, and are intended to support the products to be dispensed.
- said trays are associated with conventional movement means (for example of the spiral type) for the products to be dispensed.
- the user introduces money or a prepaid key in a control panel and selects the intended product by entering a corresponding numeric code.
- the movement means convey the selected product at the edge of the tray, which supports the product to be dispensed, so that it is directed toward the front panel until said product falls inside a collecting pocket, which is generally arranged below the containment frame 2.
- the refrigerated vending machine 1 is provided with a refrigeration device 11, which comprises, at a lateral shoulder 7, at least one delivery duct for the refrigerated air 12 and, at the other lateral shoulder 7, at least one intake duct 13.
- connection duct 14 is provided between the refrigerated air delivery duct or ducts 12 and the intake duct or ducts 13, and is provided with means 15 for refrigerating the air and with ventilation means 17, which are intended to forcedly feed the air through the refrigeration means 15 from the intake duct 13 toward the refrigerated air delivery duct 12.
- Both the refrigerated air delivery duct 12 and the intake duct 13 have a respective fluid connection portion 12a and 13a, which is designed to provide a fluid connection between the respective ducts and the refrigeration chamber 6, and respectively have a plurality of delivery openings 12b and intake openings 13b.
- the side walls 7 are provided with a respective fluid isolation portion 16a and 16b, which is arranged between the front panel 5 (when closed) and the respective fluid connection portions 12a and 13a.
- the fluid isolation portions 16a and 16b lie along a substantially vertical direction at least at the region proximate to the front panel 5 that is provided with the substantially transparent portion 5a.
- the fluid isolation portions 16a and 16b may reach substantially the edge (directed toward the front panel) of the trays, so that the air stream that exits from the delivery openings can strike completely the products arranged on the trays 10.
- connection port 20 which advantageously has a fluid passage section that is larger than the sum of the output sections of the plurality of delivery openings 12b, so as to ensure, inside the refrigerated air delivery duct 12, a slight overpressure, such as to allow the air that passes through the delivery openings 12b to have a certain flow rate along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the lateral shoulder 7 and therefore parallel to the front panel 5.
- the density of the delivery openings 12b is different in a vertical direction, so as to achieve a differentiation of the temperature in the various trays.
- the refrigerated vending machine 1 can comprise means for at least partially closing at least one of the delivery openings 12b, so as to allow adjustment of the stream of air that exits from the fluid connection portion 12a.
- closure means can be provided, for example, by plugs made of an elastic material that are selectively inserted into the holes.
- Other closure means may obviously be used, such as, diaphragms suitable to cover one or more of the holes.
- the delivery openings 12b By acting on the opening/closure of the delivery openings 12b, it is further possible to generate a forced thermal gradient region (for example, by closing the delivery openings 12b arranged in the lower part, it has been found that the coldest region, for example at 3-4 °C, is obtained at the intermediate trays, the lower trays can have a temperature of approximately 4-5 °C, and the upper ones can have a temperature of 10-12 °C).
- a forced thermal gradient region for example, by closing the delivery openings 12b arranged in the lower part, it has been found that the coldest region, for example at 3-4 °C, is obtained at the intermediate trays, the lower trays can have a temperature of approximately 4-5 °C, and the upper ones can have a temperature of 10-12 °C).
- closure means can also be used to close at least partially some of the intake openings 13b.
- the ventilation means forcedly feed the air stream through the refrigeration means and, through the connecting port 20, toward the delivery duct.
- connection port 20 Since the connection port 20 has a larger passage section than the sum of the cross-sections of the plurality of delivery openings 12b, an overpressure is generated inside the delivery duct 12 and ensures a uniform flow of air through said openings 12b.
- the air streams that pass through the delivery openings assuredly have a direction that is substantially parallel to the front panel, so as to pass through the entire refrigeration chamber until they are "aspirated" by the intake openings 13b formed at the other side wall.
- the stream of air that exits from the delivery openings 12b is spaced from the front panel 5, forming a pocket or curtain or layer of stationary air between the front panel 5 and the edge of the trays on which the products to be dispensed are arranged.
- This pocket or curtain or layer of stationary air prevents formation of condensation at the outer surface of the glass pane and also provides the thermal insulation of said glass pane, with a significant reduction of the energy required to refrigerate the refrigeration chamber.
- This stationary air pocket acts as a heat insulator, preventing first of all the refrigerated air stream from striking the glass pane and thus preventing formation, between the internal surface of the glass pane and the external surface, of such a thermal gradient as to cause condensation.
- the delivery openings (and optionally the intake openings as well) are more or less densely spaced along the vertical direction, so as to achieve a differentiation of the temperature of the various trays.
- the materials used may be any according to requirements.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a refrigerated vending machine.
- Some documents disclosing refrigerating means are:
US 2,788,641 , disclosing a home freezer operating at 0°C and below and incorporating a forced cold air circulation system;US 2,907,186 , disclosing an upright freezer in which the cold air is forced from side to side across the open front storage compartments of the cabinet;US 2,152,291 , disclosing a display case equipped with refrigeration for the storage and display of perishable merchandise, having means for providing for substantially uniform temperatures in all parts of the display compartment andUS 2,533,913 , disclosing a refrigerated vegetable display case and spray system, in which the vegetables are arrayed on shelves in an insulated and automatically refrigerated cabinet and sprayed with precooled water at predetermined intervals through electrically operated means.
None of the previous documents however discloses a refrigerated vending machine. - Refrigerated vending machines are currently widely used commercially which allow the user to remove the selected product and ensure that such product, while inside the vending machine, remains in optimum temperature conditions for its preservation.
- In particular, as regards vending machines of the type with trays stacked inside a refrigeration chamber, the refrigeration devices that are generally used are constituted by a refrigeration unit, which is arranged below the containment frame and through which the stream of air intended to be introduced in the refrigeration chamber is forcedly fed.
- In general, the refrigerated air stream is forcedly fed through a delivery duct, which is formed at the rear wall of the containment frame. The delivery duct has, at one of its walls directed toward the refrigeration chamber, a plurality of openings designed to be crossed by the stream of refrigerated air, so as to allow such stream to pass through the refrigeration chamber, keeping the products arranged on the trays at the optimum temperature.
- It is evident that the stream of refrigerated air, after passing through the refrigeration chamber, strikes the front wall of the containment frame, which is generally made of glass in order to allow the user to view the products that can be dispensed by the vending machine.
- Although these refrigeration devices are widely used in vending machines, they are not devoid of drawbacks.
- First of all, it has in fact been found that the glass pane that constitutes the front panel, by being struck internally by a stream of air at a temperature that is significantly lower than the external temperature, is subject to formation of condensation at its surface that faces the outside of the refrigeration chamber.
- It is evident that this situation entails, in addition to "aesthetic" problems such as the difficulty for the user to clearly view which products are arranged on the trays, other disadvantages such as excessive energy consumption.
- Firstly, it is in fact noticed that formation of dew reduces the energy efficiency of the refrigeration device.
- Secondly, a further increase in energy consumption is caused by the fact that the refrigerated air stream that strikes the glass pane tends to take off additional heat, also because the glass pane, despite being insulated, has a high heat exchange coefficient, which facilitates this phenomenon.
- The aim of the present invention is to eliminate or at least reduce drastically the drawbacks noted above in known types of refrigerated vending machines.
- Within this aim, another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerated vending machine that allows to optimize refrigeration.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerated vending machine that is capable of ensuring that no condensation forms at the external surface of the glass pane that constitutes the front panel.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigerated vending machine that allows to differentiate simply and effectively the temperature of various regions of the refrigeration chamber.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerated vending machine that has a very simple structure, is highly durable, easy to use and competitive in terms of production cost, so that its use is advantageous also from an economical standpoint.
- This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a refrigerated vending machine according to
claim 1. - Further advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a refrigerated vending machine according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerated vending machine according to the invention, in which the front panel is open for the sake of clarity; -
Figure 2 is a view that is similar toFigure 1 but taken from another viewpoint; -
Figure 3 is a sectional view, taken along a substantially transverse plane, of the vending machine shown inFigures 1 and2 ; and -
Figure 4 is a sectional view, similar toFigure 3 , in which the refrigeration means have been omitted for the sake of greater clarity. - In the examples of embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other examples of embodiments.
- With reference to the figures, a refrigerated vending machine, generally designated by the
reference numeral 1, comprises acontainment frame 2, which has arear closure wall 3, twoside walls front panel 5. - Usually, the
front panel 5 is provided with at least one at least partiallytransparent portion 5a, generally constituted by a glass pane. - The
containment frame 2 defines internally arefrigeration chamber 6, which is formed laterally by twolateral shoulders 7 and in which there are at least two trays (not shown in the figures), which lie on a substantially horizontal plane and are superimposed. - According to the embodiment illustrated in
Figures 1 to 3 , it is possible for at least one of the twolateral shoulders 7 to coincide with a side wall (for example theside wall 4a). - The trays can be supported slidingly, for example, by vertical posts, but also directly by the
lateral shoulders 7 or by therear closure wall 3, and are intended to support the products to be dispensed. - Conveniently, said trays are associated with conventional movement means (for example of the spiral type) for the products to be dispensed.
- Generally, the user introduces money or a prepaid key in a control panel and selects the intended product by entering a corresponding numeric code.
- Following payment and selection, the movement means convey the selected product at the edge of the tray, which supports the product to be dispensed, so that it is directed toward the front panel until said product falls inside a collecting pocket, which is generally arranged below the
containment frame 2. - According to the present invention, the refrigerated
vending machine 1 is provided with arefrigeration device 11, which comprises, at alateral shoulder 7, at least one delivery duct for the refrigeratedair 12 and, at the otherlateral shoulder 7, at least oneintake duct 13. - A
connection duct 14 is provided between the refrigerated air delivery duct orducts 12 and the intake duct orducts 13, and is provided withmeans 15 for refrigerating the air and with ventilation means 17, which are intended to forcedly feed the air through the refrigeration means 15 from theintake duct 13 toward the refrigeratedair delivery duct 12. - Both the refrigerated
air delivery duct 12 and theintake duct 13 have a respectivefluid connection portion refrigeration chamber 6, and respectively have a plurality ofdelivery openings 12b and intake openings 13b. - Conveniently, the
side walls 7 are provided with a respective fluid isolation portion 16a and 16b, which is arranged between the front panel 5 (when closed) and the respectivefluid connection portions - Advantageously, the fluid isolation portions 16a and 16b lie along a substantially vertical direction at least at the region proximate to the
front panel 5 that is provided with the substantiallytransparent portion 5a. - In greater detail, the fluid isolation portions 16a and 16b may reach substantially the edge (directed toward the front panel) of the trays, so that the air stream that exits from the delivery openings can strike completely the products arranged on the
trays 10. - With particular reference to the cross-section shown in
Figure 4 , it can be seen that between theconnection duct 14 and the refrigeratedair delivery duct 12 there is aconnection port 20, which advantageously has a fluid passage section that is larger than the sum of the output sections of the plurality ofdelivery openings 12b, so as to ensure, inside the refrigeratedair delivery duct 12, a slight overpressure, such as to allow the air that passes through thedelivery openings 12b to have a certain flow rate along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to thelateral shoulder 7 and therefore parallel to thefront panel 5. - According to the invention, the density of the
delivery openings 12b is different in a vertical direction, so as to achieve a differentiation of the temperature in the various trays. - Conveniently, the refrigerated
vending machine 1 can comprise means for at least partially closing at least one of thedelivery openings 12b, so as to allow adjustment of the stream of air that exits from thefluid connection portion 12a. Such closure means can be provided, for example, by plugs made of an elastic material that are selectively inserted into the holes. Other closure means may obviously be used, such as, diaphragms suitable to cover one or more of the holes. - It is possible to further differentiate, by using said closure means, the density of the delivery openings in a vertical direction, so as to achieve a variable stream of refrigerated air along said direction and consequently obtain a thermal gradient along said direction inside the
refrigeration chamber 6. - By acting on the opening/closure of the
delivery openings 12b, it is further possible to generate a forced thermal gradient region (for example, by closing thedelivery openings 12b arranged in the lower part, it has been found that the coldest region, for example at 3-4 °C, is obtained at the intermediate trays, the lower trays can have a temperature of approximately 4-5 °C, and the upper ones can have a temperature of 10-12 °C). - Moreover, the closure means can also be used to close at least partially some of the intake openings 13b.
- Operation of the refrigerated vending machine according to the invention is clearly evident from what has been described above.
- In particular, when it is necessary to introduce refrigerated air in the refrigeration chamber, the ventilation means forcedly feed the air stream through the refrigeration means and, through the connecting
port 20, toward the delivery duct. - Since the
connection port 20 has a larger passage section than the sum of the cross-sections of the plurality ofdelivery openings 12b, an overpressure is generated inside thedelivery duct 12 and ensures a uniform flow of air through saidopenings 12b. - Thanks to this overpressure (and of course thanks to the particular shape of said delivery openings), the air streams that pass through the delivery openings assuredly have a direction that is substantially parallel to the front panel, so as to pass through the entire refrigeration chamber until they are "aspirated" by the intake openings 13b formed at the other side wall.
- Thanks to the presence of the fluid isolation portions 16a and 16b, the stream of air that exits from the
delivery openings 12b is spaced from thefront panel 5, forming a pocket or curtain or layer of stationary air between thefront panel 5 and the edge of the trays on which the products to be dispensed are arranged. - This pocket or curtain or layer of stationary air prevents formation of condensation at the outer surface of the glass pane and also provides the thermal insulation of said glass pane, with a significant reduction of the energy required to refrigerate the refrigeration chamber.
- All the characteristics of the invention described above as advantageous, convenient or the like may also be omitted or be replaced with equivalents.
- The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.
- In practice, it has been found that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects in all its embodiments.
- In particular, it has been found experimentally that thanks to the presence of the insulation portions between the front panel and the fluid connection portions, a stationary air pocket is formed between the trays and the internal surface of the front panel.
- This stationary air pocket acts as a heat insulator, preventing first of all the refrigerated air stream from striking the glass pane and thus preventing formation, between the internal surface of the glass pane and the external surface, of such a thermal gradient as to cause condensation.
- Secondly, the delivery openings (and optionally the intake openings as well) are more or less densely spaced along the vertical direction, so as to achieve a differentiation of the temperature of the various trays.
- In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the contingent use, as well as the shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements.
- All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
- Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
Claims (7)
- A refrigerated vending machine, comprising a containment frame (2) that comprises a rear closure wall (3), two side walls (4a,4b) and a front panel (5) that has at least one portion (5a) that is at least partially transparent, said containment frame (2) forming a refrigeration chamber (6), which is delimited laterally by two lateral shoulders (7) and inside which at least two trays are providable, which are at least partially superimposed for supporting products to be dispensed, said refrigerated vending machine further comprising a refrigeration device (11) that comprises, at one of said lateral shoulders (7), at least one duct (12) for delivery of refrigerated air and, at the other lateral shoulder (7), at least one intake duct (13), a connecting duct (14) being provided between said at least one refrigerated air delivery duct (12) and said intake duct (13) and being provided with air refrigeration means (15) and ventilation means (17) for forcing the air through said refrigeration means (15) from said intake duct (13) toward said refrigerated air delivery duct (12), said refrigerated air delivery duct (12) and said intake duct (13) having respective portions (12a,13a) for fluid connection to said refrigeration chamber (6), provided respectively with a plurality of delivery openings (12b) and intake openings (13b), wherein the density of said delivery openings is different in a vertical direction so as to achieve a differentiation of the temperature of the various trays.
- The refrigerated vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said lateral shoulders (7) comprise respective fluid isolation portions (16a,16b) between said front panel (5) and said fluid connection portions (12a,13a).
- The refrigerated vending machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said fluid isolation portions (16a,16b) lie along a substantially vertical direction.
- The refrigerated vending machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, between said connection duct (14) and said refrigerated air delivery duct (12), a connecting port (20), which has a larger passage section than the sum of the output cross-sections of said plurality of delivery openings (12b).
- The refrigerated vending machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises closure means for at least partially closing at least one of said multiple delivery openings (12b).
- The refrigerated vending machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises closure means for at least partially closing at least one of said multiple intake openings (13b).
- The refrigerated vending machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the density of said intake openings is different in a vertical direction so as to achieve a differentiation of the temperature of the various trays.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITVR20040060 | 2004-04-16 | ||
ITVR20040060 ITVR20040060A1 (en) | 2004-04-16 | 2004-04-16 | AUTOMATIC REFRIGERATED DISTRIBUTOR |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1588650A1 EP1588650A1 (en) | 2005-10-26 |
EP1588650B1 true EP1588650B1 (en) | 2008-10-29 |
Family
ID=34935182
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20050008193 Active EP1588650B1 (en) | 2004-04-16 | 2005-04-14 | Refrigerated vending machine |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1588650B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602005010629D1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2314511T3 (en) |
IT (1) | ITVR20040060A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NO325863B1 (en) * | 2006-10-23 | 2008-08-04 | Torgeir Hamsund | Temperature controlled cabinet device |
CN107300282A (en) * | 2017-06-30 | 2017-10-27 | 青岛海尔特种电冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerating device |
WO2021102818A1 (en) * | 2019-11-28 | 2021-06-03 | 魏利枚 | Refrigeration system for beverage vending machine |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2152291A (en) * | 1937-09-15 | 1939-03-28 | Koch Butchers Supply Company | Refrigerated case |
US2533913A (en) * | 1949-08-04 | 1950-12-12 | John S Booth | Refrigerated vegetable display case and spray system |
US2788641A (en) * | 1953-06-19 | 1957-04-16 | Freez Aire Corp | Freezing unit |
US2907186A (en) * | 1958-03-31 | 1959-10-06 | Louis F Barroero | Air circulation means for upright refrigerated cabinets |
-
2004
- 2004-04-16 IT ITVR20040060 patent/ITVR20040060A1/en unknown
-
2005
- 2005-04-14 ES ES05008193T patent/ES2314511T3/en active Active
- 2005-04-14 DE DE200560010629 patent/DE602005010629D1/en active Active
- 2005-04-14 EP EP20050008193 patent/EP1588650B1/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ES2314511T3 (en) | 2009-03-16 |
DE602005010629D1 (en) | 2008-12-11 |
ITVR20040060A1 (en) | 2004-07-16 |
EP1588650A1 (en) | 2005-10-26 |
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