초록 ▼

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

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.

대표청구항 ▼

In an automatic vending machine including a storage chamber having a plurality of parallel dispensing columns, and temperature control means for heating or refrigerating merchandise in the columns, the temperature control means including an air heating or refrigerating mechanism and an air circulati

In an automatic vending machine including a storage chamber having a plurality of parallel dispensing columns, and temperature control means for heating or refrigerating merchandise in the columns, the temperature control means including an air heating or refrigerating mechanism and an air circulation path which comprises a gap between two of said columns and an air return duct disposed between the plurality of columns and a wall of the storage chamber for returning spent air to the heating or refrigerating mechanism, the improvement comprising: said air return duct extending along the full vertical length of the columns and having its uppermost portion aligned with the uppermost region of the columns; and an air circulation control means disposed along said circulation path for controlling the extent of air flow over the columns, said air circulation control means allowing only a part of each column to be treated by the heated or refrigerated air in a first control state and allowing the entirety of each column to be treated in a second control state.