The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 28, 1998
Filed:
May. 24, 1996
George L Thompson, Snellville, GA (US);
Kathleen Fitzsimmons Socha, Smyrna, GA (US);
Lee Jones, Atlanta, GA (US);
The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta, GA (US);
Abstract
A vending machine installation includes a misting accessory which discharges an evaporative cooling mist and is provided for interactive operation by a customer purchasing a product. The misting accessory is disposed above the vending machine or machines and includes a mist nozzle assembly within a simulated beverage bottle surrounded by a simulated bed of ice. Also provided is a sound generator for simulating the sound of gas escaping from the opening of the container of the beverage in response to vend signals generated by the customer operating the machine. The sound generator and the mister are initiated simultaneously. The simulated beverage bottle may be provided with a hinged bottle cap which flips open during operation of the mister. A pavilion incorporating vending machines and an array of misting nozzle assemblies provides evaporative cooling to persons within the pavilion. The vending machine installation and the pavilion employ nozzle assemblies which discharge an evaporative cooling mist formed by combining a water/air mist and an air delivery current.