Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a storage compartment and an evaporator that cools the storage compartment. The evaporator includes a plurality of evaporator fins. A defrost heater is mounted at a bottom edge of the evaporator fins. The defrost heater includes a first section and a second section. The first section is in physical contact with the evaporator fins. The second section is spaced a distance away from the evaporator fins. The first section has a relatively higher power output than the second section A method of defrosting an evaporator of a refrigeration appliance is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a storage compartment and an evaporator that cools the storage compartment. The evaporator includes a plurality of evaporator fins. A defrost heater is mounted at a bottom edge of the evaporator fins. The defrost heater includes a first section and a second section. The first section is in physical contact with the evaporator fins. The second section is spaced a distance away from the evaporator fins. The first section has a relatively higher power output than the second section A method of defrosting an evaporator of a refrigeration appliance is also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a storage unit that is adapted to be located in a refrigeration appliance. The storage unit includes a holding compartment for holding articles the temperature of which is to be controlled. The holding compartment is adapted to be placed in air flow communication with a source of cold air whereby the cold air may be delivered to the holding compartment. An air-flow passageway for recirculating air discharged from the holding compartment back to the holding compartment is provided along with a mixing area where the cold air and the recirculated air may be mixed in selected quantities. A user interface providing for the selection of a temperature-control procedure from a group of available temperature-control procedures for application to the interior of the holding compartment is included. The storage unit can include a controller for controlling the implementation of the temperature-control procedure selected by the user.

Abstract: A dispensing system for a vending machine includes a vend motor, a cradle, a load bar and a push arm. Upon selection of a particular product, the vend motor rotates the cradle, causing the product to emerge from the vending machine. The cradle is designed to accommodate a wide array of container sizes. The dispensing system incorporates a rotation sensor, a position sensor, and a lift arm. The sensors enable accurate rotation of the cradle through a plurality of vend angles depending upon the particular product being vended, while the lift arm cooperates with the push arm and load bar to refill the cradle after a series of product containers have been dispensed. In addition, the vend motor includes a soft start control that prevents instantaneous rotation of the output shaft so as to prolong an overall operational life of the motor.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a plurality of column walls that collectively define an associated plurality of stack areas for storing product containers. The column wall includes various, vertically spaced and fore-to-aft extending stiffeners embossed into the column wall. The integral stiffeners eliminate the need for any additional discrete stiffener parts and fasteners. In addition, the integral stiffeners advantageously permit thinner material to be employed in forming the column walls, thereby improving the entire manufacturing process. Preferably, one of the stiffeners constitutes a decoupling member which isolates a bottom portion of the column wall from a top portion and substantially prevents bow forces from transferring into a dispensing region of the column wall. Furthermore, each of the column walls is integrally formed with an alignment member or louver structure in the form of a guide element or flange which provides for proper product positioning through a vending area.

Abstract: A storage compartment comprises an external enclosure having an opening and a holding compartment that is capable of being inserted into and withdrawn from the interior of the external enclosure through the opening in the external enclosure. Stored articles are contained within the holding compartment. The external enclosure and the holding compartment have coacting surfaces, and a seal is interposed between those coacting surfaces for sealing off the interior of the holding compartment to the entry of gases when the holding compartment is inserted into the external enclosure and the coacting surfaces of the external enclosure and the holding compartment are brought together in a sealing relationship with the seal. Complementary surfaces at the holding compartment and at the exterior of the external enclosure are in engagement with one another and provide surfaces along which the holding compartment travels when it is inserted into and withdrawn from the interior of the external enclosure.

Abstract: A vending machine incorporates a product support and dispensing system including an oscillator and an adjustable bail cap. The oscillator is pivotally mounted at a lower portion of one of a plurality of stack areas provided within the vending machine. The oscillator includes a product retention zone having first and second staging regions, each of which has upper and lower holding elements for retaining a product containers in pre-vend positions. The adjustable bail cap is detachably secured to the oscillator and includes an arcuate intermediate portion adapted to selectively support the product containers. The adjustable bail cap can be selectively repositioned to allow the product support and delivery system to accommodate a wide range of container sizes.

Abstract: A dispensing system for a vending machine includes a vend motor, a cradle, a load bar and a push arm. Upon selection of a particular product, the vend motor rotates the cradle, causing the product to emerge from the vending machine. The cradle is designed to accommodate a wide array of container sizes. The dispensing system incorporates a rotation sensor, a position sensor, and a lift arm. The sensors enable accurate rotation of the cradle through a plurality of vend angles depending upon the particular product being vended, while the lift arm cooperates with the push arm and load bar to refill the cradle after a series of product containers have been dispensed. In addition, the vend motor includes a soft start control that prevents instantaneous rotation of the output shaft so as to prolong an overall operational life of the motor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a storage unit that is adapted to be located in a refrigeration appliance. The storage unit includes a holding compartment for holding articles the temperature of which is to be controlled. The holding compartment is adapted to be placed in air flow communication with a source of cold air whereby the cold air may be delivered to the holding compartment. An air-flow passageway for recirculating air discharged from the holding compartment back to the holding compartment is provided along with a mixing area where the cold air and the recirculated air may be mixed in selected quantities. A user interface providing for the selection of a temperature-control procedure from a group of available temperature-control procedures for application to the interior of the holding compartment is included. The storage unit can include a controller for controlling the implementation of the temperature-control procedure selected by the user.

Abstract: A storage compartment comprises an external enclosure having an opening and a holding compartment that is capable of being inserted into and withdrawn from the interior of the external enclosure through the opening in the external enclosure. Stored articles are contained within the holding compartment. The external enclosure and the holding compartment have coacting surfaces, and a seal is interposed between those coacting surfaces for sealing off the interior of the holding compartment to the entry of gases when the holding compartment is inserted into the external enclosure and the coacting surfaces of the external enclosure and the holding compartment are brought together in a sealing relationship with the seal. Complementary surfaces at the holding compartment and at the exterior of the external enclosure are in engagement with one another and provide surfaces along which the holding compartment travels when it is inserted into and withdrawn from the interior of the external enclosure.

Abstract: A dispensing system for a vending machine includes a vend motor, a cradle, a load bar and a push arm. Upon selection of a particular product, the vend motor rotates the cradle, causing the product to emerge from the vending machine. The cradle is designed to accommodate a wide array of container sizes. The dispensing system incorporates a rotation sensor, a position sensor, and a lift arm. The sensors enable accurate rotation of the cradle through a plurality of vend angles depending upon the particular product being vended, while the lift arm cooperates with the push arm and load bar to refill the cradle after a series of product containers have been dispensed. In addition, the vend motor includes a soft start control that prevents instantaneous rotation of the output shaft so as to prolong an overall operational life of the motor.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a cabinet frame having top, bottom, side and rear walls that collectively define a central cavity. A plurality of column walls are arranged within the central cavity that, together with the side walls, form an associated plurality of stack or column areas for receiving product containers to be vended. The vending machine includes a door that is pivotally mounted to the cabinet frame for selectively closing off the central cavity. In order to prevent unauthorized access to the product stored in the central cavity, the vending machine is provided with a lock assembly including a main body and a lock member. The main body includes first and second fixed end portions and an intermediate portion that spans one of the plurality of stack areas. The lock member is attached to the main body and receives a locking element of the door.

Abstract: A vending machine includes an adjustable channel assembly for varying the depth of a product stack area within the vending machine. Preferably two adjustable channel assemblies are mounted to a column wall to support a rear spacer wall that defines a back portion of the stack area. The rear spacer wall is selectively movable fore-to-aft in order to permit the stack area to be customized in order to accommodate various sized bottles and cans.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a cabinet frame having top, bottom, side and rear walls that collectively define a central cavity. A plurality of column walls are arranged within the central cavity that, together with the side walls, form an associated plurality of stack or column areas for receiving product containers to be vended. The vending machine includes a door that is pivotally mounted to the cabinet frame for selectively closing off the central cavity. In order to prevent unauthorized access to the product stored in the central cavity, the vending machine is provided with a lock assembly including a main body and a lock member. The main body includes first and second fixed end portions and an intermediate portion that spans one of the plurality of stack areas. The lock member is attached to the main body and receives a locking element of the door.

Abstract: A vending machine includes an adjustable channel assembly for varying the depth of a product stack area within the vending machine. Preferably two adjustable channel assemblies are mounted to a column wall to support a rear spacer wall that defines a back portion of the stack area. The rear spacer wall is selectively movable fore-to-aft in order to permit the stack area to be customized in order to accommodate various sized bottles and cans.

Abstract: A vending machine incorporates a product support and dispensing system including an oscillator and an adjustable bail cap. The oscillator is pivotally mounted at a lower portion of one of a plurality of stack areas provided within the vending machine. The oscillator includes a product retention zone having first and second staging regions, each of which has upper and lower holding elements for retaining a product containers in pre-vend positions. The adjustable bail cap is detachably secured to the oscillator and includes an arcuate intermediate portion adapted to selectively support the product containers. The adjustable bail cap can be selectively repositioned to allow the product support and delivery system to accommodate a wide range of container sizes.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a plurality of column walls that collectively define an associated plurality of stack areas for storing product containers. The column wall includes various, vertically spaced and fore-to-aft extending stiffeners embossed into the column wall. The integral stiffeners eliminate the need for any additional discrete stiffener parts and fasteners. In addition, the integral stiffeners advantageously permit thinner material to be employed in forming the column walls, thereby improving the entire manufacturing process. Preferably, one of the stiffeners constitutes a decoupling member which isolates a bottom portion of the column wall from a top portion and substantially prevents bow forces from transferring into a dispensing region of the column wall. Furthermore, each of the column walls is integrally formed with an alignment member or louver structure in the form of a guide element or flange which provides for proper product positioning through a vending area.

Abstract: A dispensing system for a vending machine includes a vend motor, a cradle, a load bar and a push arm. Upon selection of a particular product, the vend motor rotates the cradle, causing the product to emerge from the vending machine. The cradle is designed to accommodate a wide array of container sizes. The dispensing system incorporates a rotation sensor, a position sensor, and a lift arm. The sensors enable accurate rotation of the cradle through a plurality of vend angles depending upon the particular product being vended, while the lift arm cooperates with the push arm and load bar to refill the cradle after a series of product containers have been dispensed. In addition, the vend motor includes a soft start control that prevents instantaneous rotation of the output shaft so as to prolong an overall operational life of the motor.

Abstract: A hinged front gate assembly includes a plurality of wire retaining elements pivotally secured across a vending machine through a plurality of hinge units for movement between a product retention position and a product loading position through a swing radius defined by the hinge units. When the front gate is shifted to the product retention position, the retaining elements can impinge upon and shift product containers into proper alignment. The front gate assembly can be automatically shifted through closure of a main door, with the door either directly engaging cammed hinges of the front gate assembly or indirectly through a gate pusher attached to the door.