Automatic vending machine with ice preparation
US4417671A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 1981 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F9/02
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automatic vending machine having a control circuit for controlling the quantity of ice in an ice storage chamber. A signal generating circuit is provided for producing digital signals in response to ice being supplied to, and discharged from, the ice storage chamber. A counting circuit comprising an up-down counter receives the digital signals and adjusts a count value which represents the quantity of ice in the storage chamber. The counter produces an output signal when sufficient ice is available to supply vending needs, but not when the ice quantity falls below a predetermined value. The vending operation is suspended when the counter output signal is not produced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.