Patent · US Active

Lighting assemblies for vending machines

US7950817B2 · kind B2 · utility

37Cited by
81References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 17, 2008
Grant dateMay 31, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 28, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S362/80
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Display cases having lighting assemblies and methods of illuminating display cases with such lighting assemblies. Embodiments of the lighting assemblies may be used in display cases of any type and particularly in those where the purchaser selects via an external mechanism (e.g., buttons) a product from a variety of products stored inside the display, such as a vending machine. Lighting assemblies are installed within a vending machine, such as on or within the vending machine shelves or product dividers, and their light emission controlled depending on the product being selected from the vending machine. In on embodiment, all light sources within the vending machine except those illuminating the selected product are dimmed. In this way, the product being selected by the purchaser can be emphasized. In other embodiments, color or multi-color LEDs are used to emit light that best compliments the color of products housed within the vending machine.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.