The Coca-cola Company

Eddie W King

Annis R Morgan, Jr

Ravi K Sawhney

Lance G Hussey

Christopher W Glupker

Jason S Aurelia

A Ray Morgan, Jr

Robert D Hughes, Iv

James N Lettera

George Mazereeuw

J Henry Brandes

Vending machine door

The present invention provides systems and methods for temperature control in refrigeration systems, such as beverage coolers, and heating systems, such as coffee dispensers. In an embodiment of the present invention, a control unit of a refrigeration system in accordance with the present invention receives and records activity data such as door openings and/or human presence detection in the vicinity of the refrigeration system, and then establishes the beginning and end times of an energy saving mode for the refrigeration system over a period of time, such as a week. The control unit calculates the time to restart the compressor cycle at the end of the energy saving mode so that the product will be at the correct temperature at the time of first usage. As part of the energy saving function, the lamps and fans in the refrigeration system are controlled independently by the control unit according to the activity data.

Systems and methods for temperature control in refrigeration systems and heating systems

Island vending machine

A vending machine includes a switching device for establishing a first price for a first item sold during a sales transaction and for establishing at least a second price for additional items sold in the same transaction. The machine determines the amount of currency deposited during a transaction and the maximum number of items which may be purchased during the transaction based upon the amount deposited. The purchaser may freely select the number of items to be purchased at any time.

Multiple purchase discount module for a single price vending machine

A refrigeration system for a chilled-product vending machine including a refrigeration compressor, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature within said vending machine and turning the compressor ON and OFF to define a compressor cycle in response to the detection of predetermined temperature limits, an evaporator coil and evaporator fan means for blowing air across said evaporator coil and circulating said air throughout the vending machine. The system further includes a temperature-based responsive control circuitry including a product sensor for detecting the temperature of the chilled products and cycling said evaporator fan ON in response to detected product temperatures above a predetermined limit, the predetermined limit being less than the temperature required to torn the compressor ON, and a coil sensor for detecting the temperature below a predetermined limit, maintaining said evaporator fan ON during and beyond the end of the compressor cycle, and cycling the evaporator fan OFF when the temperature of the coil stabilizes above the freezing point of water.

Temperature-based control for energy management system

A control circuit for cycling the evaporator fans on and off independently of the operation of the compressor of the refrigeration system is described. The evaporator fan is cycled on with the compressor and continues to run during the entire compressor ON cycle. A first timer causes the evaporator fan to run for an additional delay period following the cycling OFF of the compressor and the fans continue to blow air over the evaporator coil until the temperature of the evaporator coil is sufficiently above the freezing point of water (32.degree. F., 0.degree. C.). The fans are then cycled OFF. A second cycling timer is provided to intermittently cycle the evaporator fans on and off for predetermined short intervals following the above-described delay period, and during the time when the compressor is OFF. A third timer is provided to preclude freezing of the vended products and/or the evaporator coil when a vending machine is disposed in a below-freezing environment. This timer is enabled when the thermostatic temperature switch, which controls the compressor, opens, and will time out to cycle ON the evaporator fans for continuous operation for a predetermined period of time of the temperature switch remains open in excess of a predetermined period of time.

Energy management system for chilled product vending machine

An energy management system for a chilled product vending machine for controlling the cycling of the refrigeration system therefor and the ON-OFF status of the machine is described. The energy management system includes a microcomputer for controlling the above-described cycling and ON-OFF functions. A hand-held programmer is provided to input machine ON-OFF times to the microcomputer, the ON times defining sales periods. The microcomputer has data stored therein related to cooling characteristics of different types of machines which may be selectively accessed by manually-actuated selector switches. This enables retrofitting of the energy management system into various types of vending machines. The energy management system also provides increased cooling during high volume sales periods, morning warm-up prior to the beginning of a sales period, periodic continuous cool-downs to maintain acceptable product temperatures, and continuous cool-down following individual vends during a non-sales period. Safety features are also provided in case of microcomputer malfunction or power failures to protect the vending machines.

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Eddie W King