Automatic vending machine
US4815302A · kind A · utility
6Cited by
2References
16Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 18, 1988 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 18, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F11/10
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The refrigerated or heated air flow within the storage chamber of a vending machine is varied by an air flow control device. A baffle plate or cover plate, or combination thereof, is used to control the direction of air flow. The position of these plates in turn is controlled by spring elements. One of the spring elements is formed of shaped memory alloy so that its recoil strength changes in accordance with its surrounding temperature. Thus, the difference in recoil strength between these spring elements changes with temperature. That difference is used to position the baffle and/or cover plates to control air circulation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.