Dixie-Narco, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20100243666 | HORIZONTAL PRODUCT DISCHARGE SYSTEM FOR A VENDING MACHINE - A system and method for discharging a selected product into a dispensing chamber of a vending machine are provided. In the system and method of this disclosure, a selected product from a vending machine is received in a product delivery cup. The product delivery cup is moved to a dispensing chamber of the vending machine. Near the dispensing chamber, the product delivery cup moves in a horizontal direction which causes or activates a delivery cup sleeve within the product delivery cup to pivot or move from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position. The dispensing position of the delivery cup sleeve releases the selected product from the delivery cup sleeve to the dispensing chamber where a consumer is able to access the selected product. | 09-30-2010 |
20100133290 | REFRIGERATION DECK SYSTEM FOR VENDING MACHINE - A vending machine includes a product compartment, a duct opening into the product compartment, and a self-contained refrigeration system. The refrigeration system includes a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber includes first and second openings. The second chamber includes third and fourth openings. An evaporator coil and evaporator fan are mounted in the first chamber. The evaporator fan moves air from the first opening, through the evaporator coil, to the second opening. A condensing coil, compressor, and compressor fan are mounted in the second chamber. The compressor fan moves air from the third opening, through the condensing coil, over the compressor, to the fourth opening. The housing thermally insulates the first chamber from both the second chamber and an exterior of the housing. The housing also seals the first chamber, such that substantially all air in the first chamber enters the first chamber through the first opening and exits the first chamber through the second opening. The housing is further adapted to automatically couple the first opening to the product storage compartment and the second opening to the duct when the housing is inserted into the vending machine. | 06-03-2010 |
20100090572 | Product delivery bin for a vending machine - A system and method for providing an improved product delivery bin for a vending machine is disclosed. A vending machine cabinet is provided with a door assembly that is capable of being placed in a closed position with respect to the vending machine cabinet. The product delivery bin of the vending machine comprises a door panel of the door assembly and a cabinet bin panel of the vending machine cabinet. The product delivery bin is formed when the door assembly is in a closed position with respect to the vending machine cabinet. The product delivery bin is accessible through a bin access door in the door assembly. | 04-15-2010 |
20100089081 | VENDING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR DEFROSTING - A method includes sensing an exposure of a refrigerated compartment of a vending machine to ambient air and, in response, sensing an initial temperature of the refrigerated compartment. The method also includes, responsive to sensing the exposure to ambient air, selecting a procedure from a plurality of procedures according to the sensed initial temperature, and controlling a refrigeration system of the vending machine using the selected procedure during an initial period. The method may include sensing a current temperature of the vending machine and, once the refrigerated compartment reaches a second predetermined temperature, controlling the refrigeration system according to the sensed current temperature, monitoring an operational characteristic of a compressor of the refrigeration system, and performing a defrost procedure according to the monitored operational characteristic. | 04-15-2010 |