Abstract: An optical element driving mechanism includes a movable assembly, a fixed assembly, and a driving assembly. The movable assembly is configured to be connected to an optical element. The movable assembly is movable relative to the fixed assembly. The driving assembly is configured to drive the movable assembly to move relative to the fixed assembly in a range of motion. The optical element driving mechanism further includes a positioning assembly configured to position the movable assembly at a predetermined position relative to the fixed assembly when the driving assembly is not operating.

Abstract: An apparatus for agitating ice cream in an ice cream vending machine including a screw member rotatably disposed on an inner lower side of a canister, a worm wheel disposed in contact with an upper end of the screw member, rotatably driven by a rotational movement of the screw member, and an agitating member, a lower end of which contacts the worm wheel, and an upper end positioned at an inner upper side of the canister. The agitating member agitates ice cream particles filled in the upper and lower portions of the canister evenly by being resiliently vibrated upward and downward by rotational movement of the worm wheel. Accordingly, by evenly agitating ice cream particles at upper and lower portions of the canister, the bead-shaped ice cream particles are prevented from attaching to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for agitating ice cream in an ice cream vending machine including a screw member rotatably disposed on an inner lower side of a canister, a worm wheel disposed in contact with an upper end of the screw member, rotatably driven by a rotational movement of the screw member, and an agitating member, a lower end of which contacts the worm wheel, and an upper end positioned at an inner upper side of the canister. The agitating member agitates ice cream particles filled in the upper and lower portions of the canister evenly by being resiliently vibrated upward and downward by rotational movement of the worm wheel. Accordingly, by evenly agitating ice cream particles at upper and lower portions of the canister, the bead-shaped ice cream particles are prevented from attaching to each other.

Abstract: An ice cream vending machine capable of vending ice cream immediately upon receipt of ice cream supply, and free of contamination to the vending machine itself and to other components by leakage of a liquid ice cream composition. The ice cream vending machine includes a cooling system, a freezing chamber cooled by the cooling system, a canister arranged within the freezing chamber for holding a bead type ice cream, a cup supplying device arranged outside of the freezing chamber for supplying a cup for holding the bead type ice cream, and an ice cream discharging device for discharging the bead type ice cream from the canister to the cup.

Abstract: An ice cream vending machine prevents loss of cool air when the vending machine is not in vending operation by closing a passage of a guide member. The vending machine includes a cooling system, a freezing chamber cooled by the cooling system, a canister arranged within the freezing chamber, for holding a bead type ice cream, a cup supplying device arranged outside of the freezing chamber, for supplying a cup for holding the bead type ice cream, an ice cream discharging device for discharging the bead type ice cream from the canister, a guide member having a passage for guiding the ice cream discharged by the ice cream discharging device into the cup, and an opening/closing device for selectively opening and closing a passage of the guide member. An actuator device of the opening/closing device means may comprise a resilient member.

Abstract: An ice cream vending machine prevents loss of cool air when the vending machine is not in vending operation by closing a passage of a guide member. The vending machine includes a cooling system, a freezing chamber cooled by the cooling system, a canister arranged within the freezing chamber, for holding a bead type ice cream, a cup supplying device arranged outside of the freezing chamber, for supplying a cup for holding the bead type ice cream, an ice cream discharging device for discharging the bead type ice cream from the canister, a guide member having a passage for guiding the ice cream discharged by the ice cream discharging device into the cup, and an opening/closing means for selectively opening and closing a passage of the guide member. An actuator device of the opening/closing means may comprise a resilient member.