Vending Machine Improvement
AssigneePepsiCo, Inc.
InventorsMichel Saba, Daniel F. Joslin, Emad Jafa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vending machine system includes a control module for controlling a cooling system. The cooling system, which includes an evaporator, may omit a heating element for defrosting the evaporator. In operation, the control module cycles an evaporator fan in conjunction with a compressor based on a required set temperature to help keep products within a specified range. In an embodiment, the evaporator fan is turned on and off at substantially the same time as the compressor is turned on and off. In another embodiment, there is a predetermined delay after the compressor is turned on and off before the evaporator is respectively turned on and off. Other variations are contemplated.
Claims21
A method of providing a cooled beverage to a consumer, comprising:
- (a) determining an interior of a chamber requires cooling;
- (b) cycling an evaporator fan in conjunction with cycling of a compressor, the cycling comprising switching to an on-state and then switching to an off-state;
- (c) receiving an authorized selection of an item contained in the chamber;
- and
- (d) automatically providing the selected item in a cool state.
A beverage vending system, comprising:
- a housing;
- a user interface mounted to the housing, the user interface configured to receive a user authorized selection of a beverage;
- a beverage delivery module on the housing, the beverage delivery module configured to provide access to a distributed beverage;
- a refrigeration module positioned at least partially in the housing and configured to hold a set of beverages in a cooled state, the refrigeration module including a first fan and an evaporator, the first fan configured to direct air across the evaporator;
- a distribution module configured to deliver a beverage from the refrigeration module to the beverage delivery module in response to an authorized user selection;
- a heat rejection module including a compressor and a condenser in fluid communication with the evaporator;
- and
- a control module configured to cycle the first fan in conjunction with cycling of the compressor.
A heat exchange system for a vending machine, comprising:
- a temperature sensor;
- an evaporator configured to be positioned in a chamber desired to be cooled, the system not including a heating element for defrosting the evaporator;
- a fan configured to direct air toward the evaporator;
- a compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator;
- a condenser in fluid communication with the evaporator and the compressor;
- an expansion valve positioned between and in fluid communication with the condenser and the evaporator;
- and
- a control module configured to cycle the compressor in response to a signal provided by the temperature sensor, the control module further configured to cycle the fan in response to cycling of the compressor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.