Patent ID: 6460728
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
An automatic vending machine provided with a storage case for articles to be sold in a housing formed of a heat-insulating box, said storage case being divided into a plurality of compartments in which articles contained therein are cooled or heated to be sold through one or more outlets, comprising:a primary heat unit provided with a compressor and a primary heat exchanger connected with a refrigerant-ejecting pipe and a refrigerant return pipe through a selecting valve; a refrigerant flow-controlling valve for controlling amount of refrigerant flowing into said primary heat unit; a control apparatus for controlling said refrigerant flow-controlling valve; a plurality of secondary heat units each having a secondary heat exchanger and being located in each of said compartments; and a plurality of conduit pipes connecting the primary heat unit with said plurality of secondary heat units, each comprising a high-pressure gas pipe connected with said refrigerant-ejecting pipe, a low-pressure gas pipe connected with said refrigerant return pipe, and a liquid pipe connected with said primary heat exchanger; each of said secondary heat exchangers being connected selectively with said high-pressure gas pipe and said low-pressure gas pipe through a selecting valve; said liquid pipe being provided with a heating/cooling apparatus connected with a refrigerant flow-controlling valve.