[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration device particularly suitable for
vending machines according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a device is known, e.g.,
by
US 6 550 270 B2.
[0002] Vending machines are known which have, at a lower portion of the containment frame,
a region for housing a refrigeration device that is adapted to circulate refrigerated
air inside the containment frame, so as to allow the products to be dispensed, contained
inside the refrigeration chamber formed inside said frame (and usually above the housing
region), to be preserved at the optimum temperature.
[0003] These refrigeration devices generally comprise refrigeration means, which are constituted
by ventilation means, associated with a refrigeration element crossed by a liquid
refrigerant, and by a control unit.
[0004] In currently commercially available vending machines, the control unit is often interposed
between the refrigeration means and the front panel for accessing the containment
frame (and the housing region) and this inevitably causes difficulties for extracting
the refrigeration means, which are usually mounted on substantially horizontal sliders.
[0005] Moreover, in order to avoid leakage and escape of refrigerated air from the refrigeration
means, on the edge of the refrigeration element that lies upwardly during use a gasket
is provided, which is designed to be interposed, when the refrigeration means are
accommodated at its housing region, between said device and the lower panel of the
refrigeration chamber.
[0006] Currently, in order to allow the gasket to undergo deformation so as to ensure airtightness,
the guides that form the sliders are slightly inclined: in this manner, by pushing
the refrigeration device toward the housing region, the device moves slightly upwardly,
so as to allow, during insertion, a compression of the gasket against the downward-facing
surface of the lower panel.
[0007] Although these embodiments are currently widely used, they have proved to be scarcely
practical in use.
[0008] Extraction and insertion of the refrigeration means within the housing region in
fact entail a sliding of the gasket against the lower surface of the lower panel that,
in the long run, inevitably causes deterioration of such gasket.
[0009] This occurs both during insertion of the refrigeration means and most of all during
disengagement, since often the gasket can be stuck or otherwise clings firmly to the
lower surface of the lower panel. Accordingly, in such conditions horizontal sliding
can damage the gasket irreparably.
[0010] Moreover, these devices often operate irregularly because of jamming caused by excessive
sliding of the gasket.
[0011] In addition to the drawbacks described above, it is evident that any arrangement
of the control unit in front of the refrigeration means causes further difficulties
during extraction of said refrigeration device. In this case it is in fact necessary
first of all to move the control unit and then extract the refrigeration means.
[0012] The aim of the present invention is to eliminate or at least reduce drastically the
drawbacks noted above in known types of refrigeration devices particularly for vending
machines.
[0013] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration
device that can be extracted and inserted practically and effectively within the respective
housing region, allowing direct access from the front panel without having to move
the vending machine.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration device that can offer
better reliability and tightness with respect to currently commercially available
devices.
[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration device that allows
to inspect rapidly and practically the control unit as well.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration device that
has a very simple structure, is highly durable, easy to use and competitive in terms
of production cost, so that its application is advantageous also from an economical
standpoint.
[0017] This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter
are achieved by a refrigeration device, particularly for vending machines, according
to claim 1.
[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent
from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a refrigeration
device particularly for vending machines, according to the invention, illustrated
by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a vending machine that has, at a lower portion, a
refrigeration device according to invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first supporting device;
Figure 3 is an enlarged-scale view of a detail of the perspective view of Figure 2;
and
Figure 4 is a further enlarged-scale view of the lifting means supported by the first
supporting device.
[0019] In the examples of embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in
relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics
that exist in other examples of embodiments.
[0020] Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known is understood not to
be claimed and to be the subject of a proper disclaimer.
[0021] With reference to the figures, a refrigeration device, generally designated by the
reference numeral 1, is advantageously associable with a vending machine 10.
[0022] The refrigeration device 1 is provided with refrigeration means 2, which are generally
constituted by a refrigeration element 2a and by ventilation means 3, which are designed
to force the air through the refrigeration element 2a and then convey it, through
a delivery duct not shown in the figures, into a refrigeration chamber 11 formed inside
the vending machine 10.
[0023] In greater detail, the refrigeration means 2 are adapted to move between an active
position (shown in the figures), in which they are accommodated within a housing 5,
and an extraction position, in which they are at least partially arranged outside
said housing 5.
[0024] Conveniently, the housing 5 is formed at a lower portion of containment frame 12
of the vending machine 10.
[0025] In particular, said housing 5 is formed laterally by side walls 5 a of the containment
frame 12, downwardly by a lower end face 5b of the containment frame 12, and upwardly
by a lower surface 6, which is supported by the containment frame 12 and generally
also forms the footing of the refrigeration chamber 11.
[0026] Usually, the vending machine 10 is provided with a front closure panel, which is
pivoted to one of the side walls 5a so as to allow the user to access the refrigeration
chamber 11 and the housing 5.
[0027] According to the present invention, the refrigeration device 1 is provided with at
least one sealing gasket 7, which is arranged between the lower surface 6 and an upper
edge 8 of the refrigeration means when the refrigeration means 2 are in the active
position.
[0028] Moreover, the refrigeration device 1 is provided with means for moving the upper
edge 8 of the refrigeration means 2 with respect to the lower surface 6, which as
a consequence of the intervention of the user, in this case of the person in charge
of maintaining the vending machine 10, move the upper edge 8 with respect to the lower
surface 6 substantially at right angles to the plane of arrangement of the sealing
gasket 7.
[0029] Conveniently, the lower surface 6 and the upper edge 8 lie on a plane that is substantially
horizontal during use and accordingly the sealing gasket 7, which is interposed between
them, likewise lies on a horizontal plane.
[0030] This advantageously allows the relative movement means to be constituted by means
9 for lifting the refrigeration means 2 when they are in the active position.
[0031] Accordingly, said lifting means 9 are adapted to move the upper edge 8 of the refrigeration
means toward the lower surface 6 or away from it, so as to at least partially compress
the sealing gasket 7 interposed between them, by moving along a substantially vertical
direction.
[0032] In greater detail, advantageously there is a first supporting device 15 for the refrigeration
means 2, which is slidingly supported by the containment frame 12 in order to move
between an active position, in which it is accommodated within the housing 5 formed
by the containment frame 12, and an extraction position, in which it is arranged at
least partially outside said housing 5.
[0033] In particular, the lifting means can be associated with at least one actuation lever
system 13, which can be rotatably supported by the first device 15 for supporting
the refrigeration means 2.
[0034] Conveniently, as shown in the figures, the sealing gasket 7 lies at a peripheral
portion of the upper edge 8 of the refrigeration means 2.
[0035] With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the side walls 5a (or, in
a fully equivalent manner, the lower end face 5b) of the containment frame 12 may
support two guides, which can be slidingly engaged by a slider, which constitutes
the first supporting device 15, so as to allow the refrigeration means 2 to move between
the active position and the extraction position.
[0036] Conveniently, the first supporting device 15 can be provided with a pulling handle
16, so as to facilitate insertion (and extraction) of the refrigeration means 2 with
respect to the respective housing 5 by the maintenance technician.
[0037] Moreover, the first supporting device 15 may also support a condenser 17, which is
usually associated with the refrigeration means 2 in order to ensures its optimum
operation.
[0038] With particular reference to Figures 2 to 4, the actuation lever systems 13 can be
rotatably supported by the first supporting device 15 at respective pivoting portions
13a, while at an intermediate position said lever systems 13 are provided with a pin
30, which can engage a respective substantially vertical guide 31 supported by a respective
L-shaped element 32, so that upon rotation (in one direction or the other) of the
lever system 13 (about the pivoting portion 13a) the L-shaped element 32 slides (along
a direction that is horizontal during use) with a back-and-forth motion.
[0039] Moreover, the L-shaped element 32 is provided with an inclined guide 34, which is
arranged at a portion thereof that is designed to face a shoulder 35 (rigidly coupled
to the first supporting element 15), which supports a second vertical guide 36.
[0040] The inclined guides 34 and the corresponding second vertical guides 36 are slidingly
engaged by an end pivot 37, which is supported by a transverse bar 38 on which the
refrigeration means 2 rest so as to ensure, as a consequence of the back-and-forth
horizontal motion of the L-shaped element 32, the lifting (or lowering) of the transverse
bar 38 and therefore of the refrigeration means 2.
[0041] Conveniently, it is possible to provide two transverse bars 38, each of which has,
at its free ends, an end pivot 37, which can slide within a respective inclined guide
34 (supported by the L-shaped element) and within a second vertical guide 36 (formed
at a shoulder 35).
[0042] Moreover, the inclined guides 34 may have, at their upper end, a flat portion that
is designed to keep the transverse bars 38 in stable contact or bearing condition
when they are in the raised position.
[0043] According to another aspect of the invention, the refrigeration device 1 may comprise
a second supporting device 20 for a control unit 21, said second supporting device
20 being slidingly supported by the containment frame 12, in order to move between
a position for insertion within a respective further housing 22 and an inspection
position, in which it is extracted at least partially from the respective housing
22.
[0044] Advantageously, as clearly shown in Figure 1, the housing 22 is formed below the
refrigeration means 2.
[0045] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a refrigeration device
1 that has, at the same time, both the movement means associated with the sealing
gasket and the second supporting device for the control unit, which is slidingly supported
by the containment frame.
[0046] Operation of the refrigeration device according to the invention is evident from
what has been described above.
[0047] In particular, if the refrigeration means 2 are to be extracted from the housing,
after naturally opening the front panel, one acts on the actuation lever system or
systems 13, so as to allow the lifting means to lower the refrigeration means (and
therefore the sealing gasket 7 associated with them) with respect to to the lower
surface 6, so as to provide a clearance between the sealing gasket 7 and the lower
surface 6.
[0048] This operation is greatly facilitated, since the sealing gasket 7 is not forced to
slide against the lower surface 6.
[0049] At this point, by acting on the pulling handle 16 or on similar elements supported
by the refrigeration means 2, a traction force is applied in order to move the refrigeration
means into the extraction position. During this operation, the slider (which constitutes
the first supporting device 15) that supports the refrigeration means 2 slides easily
on the guides supported by the side walls 5a of the containment frame 12 or by the
lower end face 6.
[0050] If the control unit 21 also is supported by the second supporting device 20, it is
evident that it is possible to simply and effectively extract independently both the
refrigeration means 2 (optionally associated with the relative movement means) and
said control unit 21, since its housing 22 does not occupy a region subjected to the
translational motion of the refrigeration means 2 by being formed below said refrigeration
means 2.
[0051] All the characteristics of the invention described above as advantageous, convenient
or the like may also be omitted or be replaced with equivalents.
[0052] It will be noted that terms as "upward", "lower", "lateral", "front", "inclined",
"vertical" etc. refer to the position in which the device is shown for exemplification
in the figures and will not be intended as having a limiting signification.
[0053] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations,
all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.
[0054] In practice it has been found that the invention has achieved its intended aim and
objects in all the embodiments.
[0055] It is in fact evident that it is possible to ensure efficient tightness against the
leakage of refrigerated air from the refrigeration device.
[0056] Moreover, thanks to the lifting means, it has been found that even after a large
number of extractions of the refrigeration means from their housing, the sealing gasket
is still intact.
[0057] In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the contingent
use, as well as the dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements.
[0058] All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
[0059] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs,
those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility
of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect
on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference
signs.
1. A refrigeration device, particularly for vending machines, comprising refrigeration
means (2) that comprise a refrigeration element (2a) and ventilation means (3) that
are designed to force the air through said refrigeration element (2a), said refrigeration
means (2) being adapted to move between an active position, in which they are accommodated
within a housing (5) formed in an upward region by a lower surface (6) supported by
a containment frame (12), and an extraction position, in which they are at least partially
arranged outside said housing least partially arranged outside said housing (5), said
refrigeration device comprising at least one sealing gasket (7), which when said refrigeration
means (2) are in the active position is arranged between said lower surface (6) and
the upper edge (8) of said refrigeration means (2), and means (9) for the relative
movement of said upper edge (8) with respect to said lower surface (6) along a direction
that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of said at least one
sealing gasket (7),
said relative movement means comprising means for lifting (9) said refrigeration means
(2) in said active position, which are adapted to move said upper edge (8) closer
to said lower surface (6), so as to compress said sealing gasket (7) at least partially,
said refrigeration device comprising at least one lever system (13) for actuating
said lifting means (9), characterized in that said actuation lever system (13) has an L-shaped element and is rotatably supported
by a first supporting device (15) and has, at an intermediate position, a pin (30)
that can be engaged within a respective substantially vertical guide (31) supported
by said L-shaped element (32), as a consequence of the rotation of said lever system
(13) in one direction or the other, said L-shaped element (32) sliding with a back-and-forth
motion and being provided with an inclined guide (34) that is arranged at a portion
that faces a shoulder (35) supported by said first supporting device and supports
a second vertical guide (36), said inclined guide (34)and the corresponding second
vertical guide (36) being slidingly engaged by an end pivot (37), which is supported
by a transverse bar (38) that supports said refrigeration means (2).
2. The refrigeration device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sealing gasket (7) lies at a peripheral portion of said upper edge (8) of said
refrigeration means (2).
3. The refrigeration device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one slider, which can slide on at least one guide that is supported
by said containment frame (12) for the movement of said refrigeration means (2) between
said active position and said extraction position.
4. The refrigeration device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of transverse bars (38), each of which has, at its
free ends, an end pivot (37) that can slide within a respective inclined guide (34)
and within a second vertical guide (36) formed at a shoulder (35).
5. The refrigeration device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inclined guides (34) have, at their upper end, a flat portion that is adapted
to keep the corresponding transverse bar (38) in stable contact or bearing when it
is in the raised position.
1. Kühlvorrichtung, insbesondere für Verkaufsautomaten, umfassend Kühlmittel (2), die
ein Kühlelement (2a) umfassen, und Gebläsemittel (3), die dazu vorgesehen sind, Luft
durch das Kühlelement (2a) hindurchzudrücken, wobei die Kühlmittel (2) dazu ausgelegt
sind, sich zwischen einer aktiven Position, in welcher sie in einem Gehäuse (5) untergebracht
sind, welches in einem aufwärtigen Bereich durch eine durch einen Gehäuserahmen (12)
gestützte untere Oberfläche (6) gebildet ist, und einer Auszugsposition, in welcher
sie wenigstens teilweise außerhalb des Gehäuses (5) angeordnet sind, zu bewegen, wobei
das Kühlvorrichtung wenigstens eine Dichtung (7) umfaßt, welche, wenn die Kühlmittel
(2) in der aktiven Position sind, zwischen der unteren Oberfläche (6) und der oberen
Kante (8) der Kühlmittel (2) angeordnet ist, und Mittel (9) zur relativen Bewegung
der oberen Kante (8) in bezug zur unteren Oberfläche (6) entlang einer Richtung, die
im wesentlichen senkrecht zu der Anordnungsebene der wenigstens einen Dichtung (7)
ist, wobei die Mittel zur relativen Bewegung Mittel zum Anheben (9) der Kühlmittel
(2) in die aktive Position umfassen, welche dazu ausgelegt sind, die obere Kante (8)
näher zu der unteren Oberfläche (6) zu bewegen, um die Dichtung (7) wenigstens teilweise
zu komprimieren, wobei das Kühlvorrichtung wenigstens ein Hebelsystem (13) zum Betätigen
der Anhebemittel (9) umfaßt,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Betätigungshebelsystem (13) ein L-förmiges Element aufweist und drehbar von einer
ersten Stützvorrichtung (15) gestützt wird und an einer Zwischenposition einen Stift
(30) aufweist, der als eine Folge der Rotation des Hebelsystems (13) in eine Richtung
oder die andere in eine entsprechende im wesentlichen senkrechte von dem L-förmigen
Element (32) getragene Führung (31) eingreifen kann, wobei das L-förmige Element (32)
mit einer Rückwärts-und-vorwärts-Bewegung gleitet und mit einer geneigten Führung
(34) versehen ist, die an einem Abschnitt angeordnet ist, der einer Schulter (35)
gegenüberliegt, die von der ersten Stützvorrichtung getragen wird, und eine zweite
senkrechte Führung (36) trägt, wobei die geneigte Führung (34) und die entsprechende
zweite senkrechte Führung (36) gleitend von einem Endzapfen (37) belegt sind, welcher
von einem Querbalken (38) getragen wird, der die Kühlmittel (2) trägt.
2. Kühlvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Dichtung (7) an einem Umfangsabschnitt der oberen Kante (8) der Kühlmittel (2)
liegt.
3. Kühlvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es wenigstens ein Gleitstück umfaßt, welches in wenigstens einer von dem Gehäuserahmen
(12) getragenen Führung zur Bewegung der Kühlmittel (2) zwischen der aktiven Position
und der Auszugsposition gleiten kann.
4. Kühlvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es wenigstens ein Paar Querbalken (38) umfaßt, von denen jeder an seinen freien Enden
einen Endzapfen (37) aufweist, der in einer entsprechenden geneigten Führung (34)
und einer zweiten, senkrechten Führung (36), die an einer Schulter (35) gebildet ist,
gleiten kann.
5. Kühlvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die geneigten Führungen (34) an ihrem oberen Ende einen flachen Abschnitt aufweisen,
der dazu ausgelegt ist, den entsprechenden Querbalken (38) in stabilem Kontakt oder
stabiler Lagerung zu halten, wenn er in der angehobenen Position ist.
1. Dispositif réfrigérant, en particulier pour distributeurs automatiques, comprenant
des moyens réfrigérants (2) qui comprennent un élément réfrigérant (2a), et des moyens
de ventilation (3) qui sont conçus pour pousser de l'air à travers ledit élément réfrigérant
(2a), lesdits moyens réfrigérants (2) étant adaptés pour se déplacer entre une position
active dans laquelle ils sont logés à l'intérieur d'un boîtier (5) formé dans une
zone supérieure par une surface inférieure (6) supportée par un cadre de confinement
(12), et une position d'extraction dans laquelle ils sont disposés, au moins en partie,
à l'extérieur dudit boîtier (5), ledit dispositif réfrigérant comprenant au moins
un joint d'étanchéité (7) qui, lorsque les moyens réfrigérants (2) se trouvent en
position active, est agencé entre ladite surface inférieure (6) et l'arête supérieure
(8) des moyens réfrigérants (2), ainsi que des moyens (9) de mouvement relatif de
ladite arête supérieure (8) par rapport à ladite surface inférieure (6) suivant une
direction qui est pour l'essentiel perpendiculaire au plan d'agencement dudit au moins
un joint d'étanchéité (7), lesdits moyens de mouvement relatif comprenant des moyens
de soulèvement (9) des moyens réfrigérants (2) dans la position active, qui sont adaptés
pour rapprocher ladite arête supérieure (8) de ladite surface inférieure (6) de manière
à ce que ledit joint d'étanchéité (7) soit comprimé au moins en partie, ledit dispositif
réfrigérant comprenant au moins un système à levier (13) pour actionner lesdits moyens
de soulèvement (9),
caractérisé par le fait que ledit système d'actionnement à levier (13) présente un élément en L et est supporté
à rotation par un premier dispositif de support (15) et présente, sur une position
intermédiaire, un pion (30) qui, en conséquence de la rotation dudit système à levier
(13) dans une direction ou dans l'autre, peut s'engager dans un guide (31) respectif
pour l'essentiel vertical qui est supporté par ledit élément en L (32), ledit élément
en L (32) coulissant avec un mouvement aller et retour et étant pourvu d'un guide
incliné (34) qui est agencé sur une portion qui est située en regard d'un épaulement
(35) supporté par ledit premier dispositif de support et qui porte un deuxième guide
vertical (36), ledit guide incliné (34) et ledit deuxième guide vertical (36) correspondant
étant engagés à coulissement par un pivot terminal (37) qui est supporté par une barre
transversale (38) supportant lesdits moyens réfrigérants (2).
2. Dispositif réfrigérant selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que ledit joint d'étanchéité (7) est situé sur une portion périphérique de ladite arête
supérieure (8) des moyens réfrigérants (2).
3. Dispositif réfrigérant selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend au moins un coulisseau apte à glisser sur au moins un guide supporté par
ledit cadre de confinement (12), pour le mouvement des moyens réfrigérants (2) entre
ladite position active et ladite position d'extraction.
4. Dispositif réfrigérant selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend au moins une paire de barres transversales (38) dont chacune présente,
à ses extrémités libres, un pivot terminal (37) apte à glisser dans un guide incliné
(34) respectif et dans un deuxième guide vertical (36) formé sur un épaulement (35).
5. Dispositif réfrigérant selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que lesdits guides inclinés (34) présentent, à leur extrémité supérieure, une portion
plate qui est adaptée pour maintenir la barre transversale (38) correspondante en
contact ou appui stable lorsqu'elle se trouve en position soulevée.