EP0824739B1 - Apparatus for dispensing refrigerating elements and said refrigerating elements - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR97/00404 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 10, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 10, 1997 PCT Filed Mar. 7, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/34264 PCT Pub. Date Sep. 18, 1997A piece of apparatus for dispensing refrigerating elements enabling consumers to make sure that the cold chain is not broken when buying fresh and frozen food. The apparatus (101) for dispensing refrigerating elements (11) comprises a housing (102) in which is provided an outlet (104) in an upper zone (129) thereof making it possible to insert a refrigerating element (11) to be recycled and an outlet (105) provided in a lower zone (128) of the housing (102) making it possible to dispense a refrigerating element loaded with negative calories, and at least one refrigerated storage unit (107) provided with a helicoidal storage and guide rail (108) extending substantially between the two zones (128, 129) so that the refrigerating elements (11) move toward the lower zone during storage. A cleaning device (112) for cleaning the refrigerating elements (11) to be recycled is provided and comprises rotating brushes (113) which drive said elements from the inlet (104) to the storage unit (107). Likewise, a ram (121) is provided to push a refrigerating element loaded with negative calories from the storage unit (107) toward the outlet (105).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing refrigerants in particular of plates or sachets containing a substance formulated to accumulate frigories comprising a box containing at least one unit for storing said refrigerating elements, refrigerated by a cold generating device arranged for charging the said refrigerating elements with frigories, transfer means for transport at least one refrigerant element stored and loaded with frigories from the refrigerated storage to at least one outlet orifice formed in a wall of the box and control means arranged to activate said transfer means. The invention also relates to said cooling elements.

Respect for the storage temperature of frozen products is fundamental because the development of microorganisms can be extremely rapid and dangerous for your health. Indeed, for sensitive products, such as ground beef, no presence, however small, of dangerous micro-organisms should be detected for health or toxins. At -10 ° C, the bacterial multiplication is stopped. The risks of finding pathogenic bacteria and toxins do not exist until + 3 ° C. Beyond that, the formidable salmonella (+ 5 ° C) and golden staphylococci (+ 6 ° C) can swarm dangerously. Only scrupulous respect for the cold chain eliminates the risks.

This is why manufacturers and distributors of frozen products have improved the efficiency of their logistics circuits and have invested a lot in cold. Many systems are currently used to give indications on the temperature of the products during their transport and storage. Through example, we use during transport frozen machines on-board constantly recording temperatures in the truck and warning the driver in the event of an incident. In the shelves of large areas, thermomarkers, changing color according to time-temperature variables, inform consumers about the quality and freshness of products. If everything is done to improve respect for the cold chain from producer to distributor, little things exist not to break this chain between the distributor and the consumer. Indeed, there are many insulated bags for the consumer transport frozen food to their home, but the temperature inside of the bag is equal to the ambient temperature, particularly high in summer and, during transport, the bags are often put in the trunk of the car where the temperature can also be relatively high. Therefore, these bags do not allow guarantee compliance with the cold chain or sufficient autonomy for the duration of transportation. The final quality of frozen products is therefore not guaranteed.

Some manufacturers have tried to solve the problems mentioned above in offering different devices for distributing refrigerants, these elements can be placed for example in an insulated bag to ensure compliance with the cold chain to the consumer. These devices are notably described in the following publications FR-A-2 258 672, EP-A-0 140 153, DE-A-32 15 627 and DE-A-22 05 964. However, in all these devices, the cooling elements are stored stacked on top of each other, the cooler located below the stack before supported the weight of all the others. We can easily understand that this type of stacking storage makes it difficult to remove the element located below the stack. In addition, the formation of frost tends to stick the elements together, which further complicates the extraction of elements. Elements are not guided during storage and can be positioned at an angle thus blocking the device. This storage system also considerably limits the storage capacity of refrigerated elements for a device of reasonable size. The problems bonding and guiding of the cooling elements are increased in the case where these elements are flexible as in some devices described with reference to publications mentioned above. In addition, these flexible elements can be pierced easily and no longer be recoverable.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing an apparatus refrigerant distributor in which the elements are guided throughout of their storage, these elements are stored side by side and not one on the other, there is no risk of sticking between two elements by the formation of frost, the ability to storage is very important for a space-saving device, and the elements are rigid and reusable many times without being damaged. In addition, this device is simple, inexpensive, requiring very little maintenance. Its use is very easy and flexible because this device also allows well the simple distribution, the simple recovery but also the exchange cooling elements.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for dispensing refrigerating elements of the genre indicated in the preamble, characterized in that said refrigerated storage unit includes a helical tube extending towards the outlet orifice so that the cooling elements move to the outlet during storage.

The box can also include transfer means for transporting at least one cooling element to recycle from at least one inlet opening in a wall of the box and control means arranged to activate the said transfer means for transferring said refrigerating element to be recycled from said orifice to the refrigerated storage unit.

Advantageously, the helical tube has along its generatrix lower a flat guide rail so that the cooling elements are guided during their movement in the refrigerated storage unit.

Before being placed in the refrigerated storage unit, the cooling elements recycle can be cleaned and sanitized by a cleaning device arranged on the path of said refrigerating elements to be recycled between the inlet orifice and the storage. The cleaning device may include a product injector sanitizer and at least one brush arranged to clean the cooling element at to recycle.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the transfer means for transport at least one refrigerant element stored and charged with frigories towards the orifice outlet and transfer means for transporting at least one cooling element to recycle from the inlet orifice constitute the same device for transferring cooling elements, and, the outlet port and the inlet port constitute a single inlet / outlet of the refrigerating elements respectively to be recycled and loaded with frigories so that by means of said transfer device, a cooling element loaded with refrigerants is transferred from a lower area of the refrigerated storage unit to the inlet / outlet port while a refrigerant to be recycled is transferred from the inlet / outlet port to an upper area of the refrigerated storage unit, the helical tube extending from the upper area to the lower area so that the cooling elements move to the base of the transfer device during their storage.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the transfer device comprises a slide comprising means for gripping the cooling elements and arranged so as to move vertically along the wall of the box in which is formed the inlet / outlet orifice, and means for pushing the cooling elements to recycle, arranged to place the refrigerating element to be recycled coming from the slide in the refrigerated storage unit. Said means for gripping the elements refrigerants may include first means of gripping the elements refrigerants charged with frigories, arranged substantially in the lower part of the slide and second means for gripping the refrigerating elements to be recycled, arranged substantially in the upper part of the slide and said means for thrust of the refrigerating elements to be recycled are arranged in correspondence with the second zone, so that said second gripping means receive said refrigerant to be recycled through the inlet / outlet while said first gripping means take said refrigerating element loaded with frigories in the refrigerated storage unit and so that the pushing means places said refrigerant to be recycled in the refrigerated storage unit while said first gripping means bring said refrigerating element loaded with frigories in the inlet / outlet port.

In this embodiment, the first gripping means can include a clamp with two articulated branches, arranged to grasp the element refrigerant charged with frigories on its sides, the ends of said branches with jaws. The second gripping means may include a window provided in the slide and of complementary shape to the element refrigerant. The pushing means may include a rocker arranged to push the refrigerating element to be recycled on the helical tube.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the slide, the thrust means and the cleaning device are operated by the same mechanism. This one can include at least one rack extending along said slide while the thrust means and the cleaning device may comprise respectively at at least one drive pinion arranged to cooperate with said rack.

In a second embodiment, the transfer means are separate, the inlet and outlet ports are separate, the inlet port being disposed close to the upper zone of the storage unit and the outlet orifice being arranged close to the lower zone of the storage unit, and the helical tube extends from said zone towards the lower zone so that the cooling elements move to the lower area during storage.

In this embodiment, the transfer means may include a jack arranged to push a refrigerant loaded with frigories from the storage unit towards the outlet orifice, this cooling element being taken out of the helical tube and resting against a guide wall to face said outlet.

Likewise, the transfer means may comprise at least two brushes, making part of the cleaning device, these brushes being cylindrical and parallel, rotated and arranged to move said cooling element therebetween recycle from the inlet to the storage unit and at least one friction element arranged parallel to the direction of movement of said cooling element and against it last to brake it, in order to create a differential speed between it and the brushes so that they can ensure correct cleaning of said cooling element.

Advantageously, the dispensing device comprises at least one detector arranged behind the inlet and arranged to detect the presence of an element refrigerant to be recycled, this detector being connected to the means control means transfer. More particularly, it has two lateral detectors and a upper or lower detector arranged to recognize the shapes of the element refrigerant.

To guarantee the watertightness of the refrigerated storage unit at its entry and exit, the dispensing device according to the invention comprises watertight doors constituted by example of flat brushes and rubber slats.

To ensure either the sale of a refrigerant loaded with frigories or the return of a refrigerating element loaded with frigories in exchange for an element refrigerant to be recycled, the refrigerant dispensing device may include at least one coin mechanism connected to the control means

The invention also relates to a cooling element containing a substance formulated to accumulate frigories, intended for use in an appliance dispenser according to the present invention, characterized in that it is presented under the shape of a substantially rectangular plate and in that it has an orifice flared through opening on its front and rear faces, of radial section substantially circular with a diameter substantially greater than that of the helical tube so that the lower rear end of the through hole is not in contact with said tube and that the upper rear end of the orifice is tangent to said tube helical, this contact point constituting the fulcrum of the cooling element on the helical tube.

The refrigerating element may have a slot communicating said orifice. passing through with the outside of the cooling element, said slot having a shape complementary to that of the guide rail provided on the helical tube. he can also have notches on its sides for gripping by means transfer.

In order to improve its movement in the refrigerated storage unit, the element refrigerant is also designed so that its center of gravity is below of said support point and that it is offset axially with respect to said support point in the direction of its movement on the helical tube. This can be achieved by the fact that the cooling element has a draft angle located below said point support, said angle being formed by the angle of inclination of the rear face of the element refrigerant under the through hole.

In order to remain charged with frigories as long as possible, the substance that contains the cooling element consists of a eutectic liquid.

• la figure 1 représente une vue de face de l'appareil distributeur d'éléments réfrigérants selon la présente invention;
• la figure 2 représente une vue de côté en coupe de l'appareil distributeur d'éléments réfrigérants avec deux unités de stockage;
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus de l'appareil distributeur d'éléments réfrigérants selon l'invention;
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus du coulisseau et de son mécanisme d'actionnement;
• la figure 5 représente en détail les moyens de préhension des éléments réfrigérants chargés en frigories;
• la figure 6 représente en détail les moyens de préhension et les moyens de poussée des éléments réfrigérants à recycler;
• la figure 7 représente une vue de face de l'élément réfrigérant selon l'invention;
• la figure 8 représente une vue de dessus de l'élément réfrigérant selon l'invention,
• la figure 9 représente une vue en coupe de plusieurs éléments réfrigérants sur le tube hélicoïdal,
• la figure 10 est une vue d'ensemble d'une variante de réalisation de l'appareil distributeur d'éléments réfrigérants selon l'invention,
• la figure 11 est une vue en plan de l'intérieur de l'appareil de la figure 10,
• la figure 12 est une coupe transversale suivant l'axe XII-XII de l'appareil de la figure 11, et
• la figure 13 est une coupe transversale suivant l'axe XIII-XIII de l'appareil de la figure 11.

The present invention and its advantages will appear better in the following description of two exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a front view of the appliance for dispensing refrigerating elements according to the present invention;
• FIG. 2 shows a side view in section of the apparatus for dispensing refrigerants with two storage units;
• Figure 3 is a top view of the dispensing apparatus for refrigerants according to the invention;
• Figure 4 is a top view of the slide and its actuation mechanism;
• FIG. 5 shows in detail the means for gripping the refrigerating elements loaded with frigories;
• Figure 6 shows in detail the gripping means and the pushing means of the refrigerating elements to be recycled;
• FIG. 7 represents a front view of the cooling element according to the invention;
• FIG. 8 represents a top view of the cooling element according to the invention,
• FIG. 9 represents a sectional view of several cooling elements on the helical tube,
• FIG. 10 is an overall view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus for dispensing refrigerants according to the invention,
• FIG. 11 is a plan view of the interior of the apparatus of FIG. 10,
• FIG. 12 is a cross section along the axis XII-XII of the apparatus of FIG. 11, and
• FIG. 13 is a cross section along the axis XIII-XIII of the apparatus of FIG. 11.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the dispensing device 1, of substantially shaped octagonal has a box 2, two walls 3 and 3 'each have a inlet / outlet 4 and 4 'closed by a safety door 5 and 5'. These are transparent, mounted on slides (not shown) and provided with springs reminder. On the same wall 3, 3 'is installed a coin mechanism 6, 6' of operation traditional connected to an electronic control unit (not shown).

Referring more particularly to FIG. 2, the box 2 contains a central tube 49 allowing the circulation of air in a forced circuit, two storage units 7 and 7 ' refrigerated by a cold generating device (not shown) comprising traditional way a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser and a tank recovery. Foam is injected or foam plates are placed between all of the refrigerated storage units 7, 7 ′ and the walls of the box 2 of so as to isolate said refrigerated storage units from the outside. Each unit of refrigerated storage 7, 7 'includes a helical tube 8, 8' with constant pitch extending from top to bottom. The turns which make up said helical tube 8, 8 'form an angle between approximately 18 ° and 25 ° with the horizontal. Over the entire length of the lower generator of the helical tube 8, 8 'is provided a guide rail 9, 9' of flat shape. As shown more precisely in FIG. 6, the guide rail 9, 9 ′ is extended beyond the upper end 29 of the helical tube 8, 8 'for a few centimeters. The two refrigerated storage units 7 and 7 'are arranged in the box 2 so that the two helical tubes 8 and 8 'and the two rails guide 9 and 9 'form two parallel helices of the same pitch offset one with respect to to the other by a distance equal to half the step. To support the helical tubes 8 and 8 ′, a support tube 10 is fixed on the opposite interior faces of the rails. guidance 9 and 9 ', every 45 degrees. Other fixing means can be considered. The helical tubes 8 and 8 'and the guide rails 9 and 9' are produced in a metallic material. A defrosting system (not shown) can be installed at inside the tubes 8 and 8 'to avoid the formation of frost.

It will appear obvious to those skilled in the art that the box 2 can contain only a single refrigerated storage unit 7 and in this case a single inlet / outlet 4, a single safety hatch 5 and a single coin mechanism 6. L the dispensing device with two refrigerated storage units being symmetrical with respect to its central axis, it will only be described below with a single refrigerated storage unit 7.
Said refrigerated storage unit 7 contains a plurality of refrigerating elements 11 arranged one behind the other on the helical tube 8. With reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the refrigerating element 11 is in the form of a substantially parallelepiped plate. with rounded corners. The lateral faces 22, 23 and upper 26 of the cooling element 11 have notches 24, 25 and 27 of substantially semi-cylindrical shape. The notches 24 and 25 are provided to facilitate gripping of the cooling element 11. The notch 27 is provided for filling the cooling element 11 with the substance formulated to accumulate frigories

On its front and rear faces 12 and 13, the cooling element 11 has an orifice through 14 flared, substantially hyperbolic axial section and radial section substantially circular with a diameter substantially greater than that of the helical tube 8 so that, as can be seen in Figure 8, the lower rear end 15 of the through hole 14 is not in contact with said tube 8 and that the end upper rear 16 of the orifice 14 is tangent to said helical tube 8, this point of contact 16 constituting the sole fulcrum of the cooling element 11 on the tube helical 8. The through hole 14 is extended downwards by a slot 17 so that the cooling element 11 has below the through hole 14 and each side of the slot 17 two legs 18 and 19. The slot 17, of width substantially greater than the thickness of the guide rail 9, narrows downwards so that the opposite side edges 20 and 21 of the legs 18 and 19 are inclined at an angle α by compared to the vertical. The front face 12 of the cooling element 11 is flat while the rear face 13 has a clearance angle β from the fulcrum 16 in the part of the cooling element 11 which is below the through orifice 14. This design means that the center of gravity of the cooling element 11 is located below the fulcrum 16 and that it is axially offset from said point bearing 16 in the direction of movement of this element on the helical tube 8.

The front and rear faces 12 and 13 form an angle ϕ, varying the thickness of the cooling element 11, the thickest part being located outside when the refrigerating elements 11 are placed on the helical tube 8. Thus they support one on the others over the entire surface of the faces 12 and 13 above the through hole 14 when they move on said helical tube 8. By this form of construction, the through hole 14 and the slot 17 are off-center on the side of the thickest part of the cooling element 11 so as to balance the distribution of the substance contained in the cooling element 11 between the legs 18 and 19. Said substance is a eutectic mixture whose melting point is for example equal to -16 ° C.

Referring again to Figure 2, the helical tube 8 has one end lower or lower zone 28 which extends towards a first zone called "gripping station" To refrigerating elements 11 charged with frigories, said zone being placed behind the wall 3 in which the inlet / outlet orifice 4 is formed. length of the helical tube 8 is such that the last cooling element 11 charged with frigories is no longer carried by said helical tube 8 but is simply held between the wall of the gripping station A and the penultimate cooling element 11 charged with frigories. Insulating material is placed around the gripping station A in order to isolate it from the outside. Above said gripping station A is a zone of transfer B, separated from the gripping station A by a hatch 31 provided with a system reminder (not shown). Transfer zone B communicates with the outside by the inlet / outlet orifice 4 in the wall 3 of the box 2. It is therefore at temperature ambient.

In the transfer area B is arranged a slide 30 which can move vertically along the wall 3 of the gripping station A towards a second zone called "pushing station" C of the refrigerating elements 11 to be recycled, the thrust C being located above transfer zone B.

With reference to FIG. 4, the slider 30 is actuated by an electric motor 50 and a pinion / rack transmission, the rack 51 being provided on the back of said slide 30. This is guided in translation by two vertical guides 54 and 55 provided on the casing 2 by means of rollers 52 and 53.

The lower part of the slide 30 is extended by an M-shaped clamp 35, shown in Figure 5. Said clamp 35 is fixed to the slide by a pivot 38 at the "tip" of the M and comprises two articulated branches 36, 37 by two pivots 36 'and 37 '. The ends of the branches 36, 37 end in two jaws 39 and 40 of shape complementary to the notches 24 and 25 of the cooling element 11. Both branches 36, 37 are connected by a transverse bar 41 with respect to which they can pivot freely thanks to two pivots 36 "and 37". Crossbar 41 keeps substantially the same gap between the two branches 36, 37, this gap being substantially greater than the width of the cooling element 11.

As shown more precisely in Figure 6, the upper end of the slide 30 has a window 42 cut out so as to have a shape complementary to the cooling element 11. The lower edge 43 of the window 42 comprises a vertical plate 44 of complementary shape to the slot 17 of the cooling element 11. This plate 44 constitutes an orientation device in order to correctly place the refrigerant to be recycled. This orientation device can also be provided in the inlet / outlet 4.

In the upper part of transfer area B there is a cleaning 48 of the refrigerating elements 11 to be recycled. It consists of an injector sanitizer, two brushes and two squeegees arranged on both sides from window 42. The injector is supplied by a liquid reservoir (not shown) comprising a sanitizing product added with a cleaning product and agents defoamer in an aqueous medium. Downstream there is a diaphragm pump with non-return valve, a solenoid valve controlled by a control unit (not shown). Thus the liquid tank is not under pressure. The brushes are actuated by pinions meshed in another pinion in direct contact with the same rack 51 which actuates the slide 30.

The pushing station C is isolated from the outside by an insulating material and separated from the transfer zone B by a hatch 32 provided with a reminder system (not represented). It includes a rocker 45, fixed on a toothed wheel 46 in direct engagement with the same rack 51 which actuates the slide 30. The rocker 45 is width substantially less than that of window 42 in slider 30. It is positioned in the pushing station C so as to be substantially the same height than the guide rail 9 extending the upper end or upper zone 29 of the helical tube 8.

The length of the slider 30 is such that the clamp 35 is facing the inlet / outlet 4 when the window 42 is facing the rocker 45 and such that the window 42 is facing the inlet / outlet 4 when the clamp 35 is opposite the lower end 28 of the helical tube 8.
The operation and use of the dispenser 1 of refrigerant elements 11 are particularly simple. Indeed, the dispensing device 1 is placed, for example near the shelves of frozen products in a large area. Depending on the space available or the location chosen, the dispensing device 1 can be used as a single or double-sided dispensing face and then comprises one or two refrigerated storage units 7. Before putting into service, the refrigerated storage unit 7 is filled with cooling elements 11 loaded with frigories which can be previously stored on a pallet in freezers. Thanks to an access door (not shown), the personnel of the large area can arrange the refrigerating elements 11 loaded with frigories on the helical tube or tubes 8, 8 ′.

When consumers buy frozen products, they often already have a bag isothermal. If he does not have one, he can obtain an insulated bag 47 which is presented on one of the walls of the dispensing device 1. So that the interior of the insulated bag remains cold long enough not to break the cold chain, the customer can buy or obtain a refrigerant element 11 loaded with frigories. For that, he introduces into the coin mechanism 6 a coin or a loyalty token offered by example by a manufacturer. The customer presses the command button which allows select the sale of refrigerants 11 loaded with refrigerants without exchange thanks to an electronic control unit (not shown). Until then, the slide 30 was in the rest position, that is to say it was substantially in the center of the transfer zone B. Once the control unit actuates the motor 50 and the rack 51, the slide 30 descends into the gripping station A by pushing on the hatch 31 to open it. In the gripping station A, at the end of the tube helical 8, there is a cooling element 11 charged with frigories. When the jaws 39 and 40 of the articulated branches 36 and 37 of the clamp 35 come into contact upper edges of the refrigerating element 11 charged with frigories, these deviate and pivot slightly thanks to the different pivots 36 ', 37', 36 ", 37" and 38 for cooperate with the notches 24 and 25 of the refrigerating element 11 charged with frigories. The jaws 39 and 40 then hold in the clamp 35 the cooling element 11 loaded with frigories without tightening it. A limit switch (not shown) used to determine the end of the slide's downward movement. Then the slide 30 goes up towards transfer zone B, the cooling element charged with frigories being maintained by the clamp 35. The hatch 31 closes thanks to its system after the slider 30 has left gripping station A. In the area transfer B, the slider 30 rises sufficiently so that the clamp 35 arrives at height of the inlet / outlet port 4. A limit switch (not shown) allows the slider 30 to stop in the correct position. Then the client opens the safety hatch 5 and grips the cooling element 11 charged with frigories by the orifice inlet / outlet 4 for example through the through hole 14 and puts it in its insulated bag. Once the safety hatch 5 is closed, the slide 30 goes back down to the position of rest.

In the case where the customer brings back a cooling element to be recycled and wishes exchange it for a refrigerant loaded with frigories, it presses the button command to select the exchange of cooling elements. According to policy store sales, the exchange service can be free or paid and the control unit is then programmed accordingly. Until then, the slide 30 was in the rest position. Once the control unit operates the motor 50 and the rack 51, the slide 30 descends to the gripping station A and in this zone, the clamp 35 works in the same way as what has been described previously for the sale of refrigerant without exchange. When the slide 30 arrives at the end of its travel in its downward movement, the clamp 35 is in look at the lower end 28 of the helical tube 8 and grips a cooling element 11 loaded with frigories. In this position, the window 42 is located opposite the inlet / outlet port 4. The customer manually opens the safety hatch 5. Two limit switches (not shown) stop all operation of the device as soon as the safety hatch is lifted. The customer can then enter his element refrigerant to be recycled through said inlet / outlet orifice 4, in said window 42. The gripping the cooling element 11 is facilitated by the notches 24 and 25. Thanks to the orientation device constituted by the plate 44 on the lower edge 43 of the window 42, the customer can only put his refrigerating element to recycle in one meaning. The safety hatch 5 closes under the action of its return spring as soon as the customer released it once the refrigerant to be recycled is in place. Then the slide 30 goes up towards the upper part of transfer zone B so that the refrigerating element 11 to be recycled passes through the cleaning device 48. By through the injector, sanitizer is sprayed onto the element refrigerant to be recycled which is then cleaned using brushes and dried by squeegees. The slide continues to move upward while cleaning the the refrigerating element to be recycled and reaches the pushing station C after having open the hatch 32 by simple push. A limit switch (no shown) allows the slide 30 to stop in the position shown on the Figure 6 such that the refrigerating element 11 to be recycled is located opposite the end upper 29 of the guide rail 9 and such that the window 42 is located substantially the same height as the rocker 45. At the same time as the slide arrives at the end of stroke, the rack 51 meshes with the toothed wheel 46 on which the rocker is mounted 45 fixedly so that said rocker 45 pivots by an angle  in the direction of the refrigerating element 11 to be recycled. The rocker 45 then pushes the cooling element 11 to be recycled so that it is fitted on the guide rail 9 then on the tube helical 8. The fitting of the cooling element 11 to be recycled on the tube helical 8 is particularly facilitated by the flared shape of the through orifice 14. At the same time, the clamp 35 holding the cooling element 11 charged with frigories is located opposite the entry / exit port 4. The customer opens the hatch security 5 to allow it to take said refrigerating element loaded with frigories. As soon as the customer has released the safety hatch 5, it closes under the action of its recall spring. Then the slide 30 descends into transfer zone B, the hatch 32 which closes with its return system and the slider 30 is replaced by rest position awaiting a new request.

To guarantee the proper functioning of the element dispensing device 1 refrigerants 11, it is necessary to always have a refrigerant element charged with frigories accessible in the gripping station A. This is achieved by the fact that the refrigerants to be recycled are reintroduced into the refrigerated storage unit 7 and descend along the helical tube 8 towards the gripping station A while charging in frigories. The refrigerating elements 11 progress easily on the tube helical 8 thanks to their particular shape. Indeed, the only fulcrum 16 of the cooling element 11 on the helical tube 8 and the lower and offset position of the center of gravity of the cooling element 11 relative to said fulcrum 16 create a torque so that the cooling element 11 moves naturally along the inclined helical tube 8. Displacement is favored by the fact that the elements refrigerants 11 in the upper part of the refrigerated storage unit 7 push the refrigerating elements 11 in the lower part of the refrigerated storage unit 7. If the speed of the cooling elements during their descent on the helical tube 8 becomes too large and the cooling elements offset due to the force centrifugal, the friction of the legs 18 or 19 on the guide rail 9 makes it possible to brake naturally the cooling elements 11.

On the other hand, if the sales flow of the refrigerating elements is greater than their cooling rate and in order to avoid a shortage of refrigerant elements loaded with frigories, a counter is provided in the dispensing apparatus manage the inputs and outputs of the cooling elements and signal the decrease in stock from a predefined alarm threshold. When filled, the dispenser of cooling elements according to the invention makes it possible to store 415 cooling elements per refrigerated storage unit.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to the figures 10 to 13. The dispensing device 101 essentially differs from device 1 described above by the presence of two separate ports, an inlet port and a outlet orifice, and by removing the transfer slide 30 and its system training. These differences make it possible to further simplify the device 101, reducing its cost, its size and its maintenance. This device 101, of form substantially square, comprises a box 102, a wall 103 of which has, in part high, an inlet port 104 and, at the bottom, an outlet port 105. On the same wall 103 is installed a traditional operating coin mechanism 106 located substantially at the same height as the inlet and connected to a control unit and electronic management 109 provided inside the device in the upper part. Well of course, the arrangement of these various elements can be modified.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 11, the box 102 contains a device evaporation and ventilation 149, a storage unit 107 refrigerated by a traditional cold generating device 150 provided under the appliance 101. The storage 107 is isolated from the walls of the casing 102 by injected foam or foam plates and includes a helical rail for storage and guide 108, of flat section, replacing the previous storage tube 8 and guide rail 9 but with the same functionality. Its design allows a reduction in diameter and pitch of the propeller thus increasing the storage capacity of refrigerating elements 11 by reducing the space required. The turns that make up this rail 108 make an angle of between 8 ° and 15 ° approximately with the horizontal. This helical rail 108 extends from one end or upper zone 129 located substantially at the same height as the inlet port 104 toward one end or lower zone 128 situated substantially at the same height as the outlet orifice 105. This helical rail 108 is fixed to the interior walls of the storage unit 107, or could be fixed to a central support tube (not shown), by means of brackets 110 in a U shape distributed regularly along said rail, for example, all 90 °. As before, the helical rail 108 is arranged to receive a plurality of cooling elements 11 identical to those described above.

The inlet 104 is oriented substantially horizontally and has a shape complementary to that of a refrigerating element 11 to be recycled presented lying in direction of orifice 104. The shape of inlet port 104 slightly conical allows correct orientation of the cooling element 11 to be recycled. This element refrigerant 11 can be introduced by its legs 18, 19 as well as by its face upper 26. Three limit switches or recognition cells 111a, 111b and 111c are arranged directly behind the inlet port 104, two of which side 111a and 111b detectors and an upper or lower 111c detector of so as to be placed above the slot 17 of the cooling element 11. They make it possible to detect the presence of a refrigerating element 11 to be recycled and above all to recognize it to avoid the risk of fraud, then inform the unit of control and management 109. They generate binary electrical signals 1 or 0 depending on whether they detect a presence or not. Given the particular form of the cooling element 11, when it is introduced into the inlet port 104 by its tabs 18, 19, the lateral detectors 111a and 111b are equal to 1 while the upper detector 111c is equal to 0 until the lateral detectors 111a, 111b meet the notches 24, 25 of said cooling element 11 where they change to 0. Then the three detectors 11 la, 111b and 111c must be equal to 1, and vice versa when the cooling element 11 is introduced through its upper face 26. If this code is correct then the control and management unit 109 will authorize the distribution of a refrigerating element 11 charged with frigories. Otherwise, the "plate fraudulent "introduced will be sent to storage unit 107 where it will be evacuated.

A cleaning device 112 for the refrigerating elements 11 to be recycled is provided between this inlet 104 and the storage unit 107. This cleaning device 112 comprises several pairs of cylindrical brushes 113, and in this case three pairs, rotating, arranged one after the other, the brushes of each pair being spaced to define a more or less narrow passage to receive the element refrigerant 11 to be recycled, this passage being arranged in the extension of the orifice inlet 104. An injector 114 is provided in the upper part of the cleaning 112 and allows the spraying of a sanitizing product added with a cleaning product and anti-foaming agents in an aqueous medium, this product coming from a liquid tank 115 and a pump 116. This sanitizing product is then recovered and evacuated by a pipe 115 'to the condensate recovery tank of the cold group 150, this pipe passing through the walls of the box 102. The rotation of the brushes 113 is controlled by a suitable drive device and, by example, a small motor coupled to the different brushes by means of a train gear or toothed belt and pinions. Brush rotation 113 drives the cooling element 11 to be recycled to and into the storage unit 107 through a sealed door 117. This sealed door 117 comprises for example flat brushes and rubber slats. Fixed friction elements 113 'are arranged laterally and parallel to the direction of movement of the cooling element 11 driven by the brushes 113 and are arranged to rub against the side faces 22, 23 of said cooling element 11 in order to brake it to create a speed differential between it and said brushes and allow the latter to clean it effectively. These friction elements 113 ′ consist for example of brushes, rubber pads or other suitable devices.

After the passage of the sealed door 117, the refrigerating element 11 to be recycled, not being more guided, tilts under the effect of its weight and is positioned directly on the rail helical 108 for storage and guidance which starts just after the watertight door 117. Upper guide blades 118 and side guides 119 are provided at the outlet of the watertight door 117 and above the upper zone 129 of the helical rail 108 and are arranged to correctly position the cooling element 11 to be recycled on the helical rail 108, even if the latter is introduced by its upper face 26. Then, the refrigerating element 11 to be recycled descends along the helical rail 108 until it meets the other refrigerating elements 11 which are already stored. Meanwhile, it recharges in frigories. In the lower zone 128, the helical rail 108 ends in a straight portion substantially perpendicular to the outlet orifice 105 and stops to release a refrigerant element 11 loaded with frigories and position it against a guide wall 126 so that it is substantially opposite the orifice of outlet 105. This outlet orifice 105 is oriented substantially vertically or slightly inclined and has a shape complementary to that of the element refrigerant 11 charged with frigories in a standing position and oriented in profile. This orifice 105 is separated from the storage unit 107 by a watertight door 120 comprising by example of flat brushes and rubber slats. A jack 121 is mounted on the guide wall 126 for pushing the refrigerant element 11 loaded with frigories to through the watertight door 120 towards the outlet orifice 105, this jack being controlled by the control and management unit 109 as a function of the limit switches 111a, 111b and 111c and / or the coin mechanism. The rod of this jack 120 moves parallel to the guide wall 126 and the outlet orifice 105 and has a rounded end 122 complementary to the semi-cylindrical notch 24 provided in the refrigerating element 11 in which it bears. Stops 123 are provided at the outside of the wall 103 of the apparatus 101, above and below the orifice of outlet 105, to keep the refrigerating element 11 loaded with frigories in position and facilitate its grip by the user.

Using the device 101 is even simpler and faster than that described previously. The user introduces a refrigerating element 11 to be recycled in inlet 104 and in return, a few seconds later, an element refrigerant 11 charged with frigories ready for use in the outlet orifice 105. It can also buy a refrigerant element 11 loaded with frigories if it cannot do exchange. The control and management unit 109 provided in this device 101 is a device known and marketed under the brand VISIOCOM ™ which can be compared to an automaton which makes it possible to control and manage, remotely, the generator group of cold 150, ordering brushes 113 and cylinder 121, stock of elements refrigerants 11 contained in the device 101, the level of the sanitizing product. He offers thus a very appreciable flexibility of use and management. For this purpose, a socket telephone 124 is provided at the back of the casing 102 in addition to a socket power supply 125 of the device which plugs into the 220 V sector with Earth.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art. In particular, the slide provided in the first variant can be replaced by any equivalent means of transfer. On the other hand, the slide, the cleaning device and the rocker can be respectively actuated by actuation means equivalent to the rack. The device according to the second variant can also be provided with a double storage unit. Means of transfer by brushes 113 and cylinder 121 could be different. Finally, the element dispensing device refrigerants has been described here as being used in a large area. The walls can serve as advertising media to promote new products. A location 127 with 220V power outlet is provided on the part top of the dispenser to install a VCR and TV to inform customers. But other places of use are possible, such as campsites or motorway relays. For example, truckers or vacationers have the possibility of always having a refrigerant loaded with frigories in their cooler. This allows them to transport their food in peace and throughout the journey. In such a case, an anti-vandalism device can be provided for dispensing devices placed outside.

Claims (27)

1. Apparatus (1, 101) for dispensing refrigerating elements (11), particularly plates or bags containing a substance formulated to accumulate negative calories, comprising a housing (2, 102) containing at least one storage unit (7, 107) for storing said refrigerating elements, refrigerated by a refrigerating device designed to load said refrigerating elements (11) with negative calories, transfer means (30, 121) for transporting at least one refrigerating element stored and loaded with negative calories from the storage unit (7, 107) to at least one outlet (4, 105) provided in a wall (3, 103) in the housing and control means provided to activate said transfer means (30, 121), characterised in that said refrigerated storage unit (7, 107) comprises a helicoidal tube (8, 108) extending toward the outlet (4, 105) so that the refrigerating elements (11) move toward the outlet during storage.
2. Dispenser (1, 101) according to claim 1, characterised in that the housing (2, 102) also comprises transfer means (30, 113) to transport at least one refrigerating element (11) to be recycled from at least one inlet (4, 104) provided in a wall (3, 103) in the housing (2, 102) and control means designed to activate said transfer means (30, 113) to transfer said refrigerating element (11) to be recycled from said inlet (4, 104) to the refrigerated storage unit (7, 107).
3. Dispenser (1, 101) according to claim 2, characterised in that the helicoidal tube (8, 108) comprises, along its lower generating line, a plane guide rail (9, 108) so that the refrigerating elements (11) are guided whilst moving in the refrigerated storage unit (7, 107).
4. Dispenser (101) according to claim 3, characterised in that the helicoidal tube and the guide rail form one and the same part called a storage and guide helicoidal rail (108) with a plane section.
5. Dispenser (1, 101) according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that it comprises a cleaning device (48, 112) located on the route taken by the refrigerating elements (11) to be recycled between the inlet (4, 104) and the storage unit (7, 107), designed to clean and sterilise said elements (11).
6. Dispenser (1, 101) according to claim 5, characterised in that said cleaning device (48, 112) comprises of a sterilising agent injector (114) and at least one brush (113) designed to clean the refrigerating element (11) to be recycled.
7. Dispenser (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the transfer means (30) used for transporting at least one refrigerating element (11) stored and loaded with negative calories to the outlet (4) and the transfer means (30) used for transporting at least one refrigerating element (11) to be recycled from the inlet (4) make up the same device for transferring (30) the refrigerating elements (11), in that the outlet and inlet constitute the same inlet/outlet (4) for the refrigerating elements (11) respectively to be recycled and loaded with negative calories so that by means of said transfer device (30), a refrigerating element (11) loaded with negative calories is transferred from a lower zone (28) in the refrigerated storage unit (7) to the inlet/outlet (4) whereas a refrigerating element (11) to be recycled is transferred from the inlet/outlet (4) to an upper zone (29) in the refrigerated storage unit (7), and in that the helicoidal tube (8) extends from the upper zone (29) to the lower zone (28) so that the refrigerating elements (11) move towards the base of the transfer device (30) during storage.
8. Dispenser (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the transfer device comprises a slide (30) fitted with means of gripping (35, 42) the refrigerating elements (11) and designed to move vertically along the wall (3) of the housing (2) in which the inlet/outlet (4) is provided, and means of pushing (45) the refrigerating elements (11) to be recycled, designed to place the refrigerating elements (11) to be recycled coming from the slide (30) in the refrigerated storage unit (7).
9. Dispenser (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the means of gripping (35, 42) the refrigerating elements (11) include first means of gripping (35) the refrigerating elements (11) loaded with negative calories, provided substantially in the lower part of the slide (30) and second means of gripping (42) the refrigerating elements (11) to be recycled, provided substantially in the upper part of the slide (30) and in that said means of pushing (45) the refrigerating elements (11) to be recycled are provided so that they correspond to the second zone (29), so that the second gripping means (42) receive said refrigerating element (11) to be recycled via the inlet/outlet (4) whilst said first gripping means (35) take up said refrigerating element (11) loaded with negative calories in the refrigerated storage unit (7) and so that the pushing means (45) place said refrigerating element (11) to be recycled in the refrigerated storage unit (7) whilst said first gripping means (35) bring said refrigerating element (11) loaded with negative calories into the inlet/outlet (4).
10. Dispenser (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the first gripping means (35) comprise gripping pliers (35) with two articulated branches (36, 37), designed to grip the refrigerating element (11) loaded with negative calories on its sides (22, 23), the ends of such branches (36, 37) comprising gripping jaws (39, 40).
11. Dispenser (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the second gripping means (42) may comprise a window (42) provided in the slide (30), the shape of which matches the refrigerating element (11).
12. Dispenser (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the pushing means (45) have a swing (45) designed to push the refrigerating element (11) to be recycled on to the helicoidal tube (8).
13. Dispenser (1) according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the control means are designed to activate the slide (30), the pushing means (45) and the cleaning device (48) by means of the same mechanism.
14. Dispenser (1) according to claim 13, characterised in that said mechanism comprises at least one rack (51) extending along side slide (30) and in that the pushing means (45) and the cleaning device (48) respectively comprise at least one driving pinion designed to cooperate with said rack (51).
15. Dispenser (101) according to claim 2, characterised in that the transfer means (113, 121) are distinct, in that the inlet (104) and outlet (105) are distinct, the inlet (104) being provided close to the upper zone (129) in the storage unit (107) and the outlet (105) being close to the lower zone (128) in the storage unit (107), and in that the helicoidal tube (108) extends from said upper zone (129) to said lower zone (128) so that the refrigerating elements (11) move towards the lower zone (128) during storage.
16. Dispenser (101) according to claim 15, characterised in that the transfer means (121) comprise a ram (121) designed to push a refrigerating element (11) loaded with negative calories from the storage unit (107) towards the outlet (104), this refrigerating element (11) having left the helicoidal tube (108) and resting against a guide wall (126) to face said outlet (105).
17. Dispenser (101) according to claim 15, characterised in that the transfer means (113) comprise at least two cylindrical and parallel brushes (113), which rotate and are designed to move said refrigerating element (11) to be recycled between them from the inlet (104) to the storage unit (107) and at least one rubbing element (113') arranged parallel to the direction of movement of said refrigerating element (11) and against the latter to slow it down.
18. Dispenser (101) according to any of the claims 15 to 17, characterised in that it comprises at least one detector (111a, 111b, 111c) placed behind the inlet (104) designed to detect the presence of a refrigerating element (11) to be recycled, this detector (111) being connected to the means of controlling (109) the transfer means (113, 121).
19. Dispenser (101) according to claim 18, characterised in that it comprises two lateral detectors (111a, 111b) and an upper or lower detector (111c) designed to recognise the shapes of the refrigerating element (11).
20. Dispenser (101) according to any of the claims 15 to 19, characterised in that it comprises tight doors (117, 120) provided on the storage unit's (107) inlet and outlet side, these doors comprising flat brushes and thin rubber strips.
21. Dispenser (1, 101) according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that furthermore it comprises at least one slot paying mechanism (6, 106) connected to the control means (109) either for the purpose of selling refrigerating elements (11) loaded with negative calories, or for dispensing a refrigerating element (11) loaded with negative calories in exchange for a refrigerating element (11) to be recycled.
22. Refrigerating element (11) containing a substance formulated to accumulate negative calories, designed to be used in a dispenser (1, 101) according to claim 6, characterised in that it is presented in the form of a substantially rectangular plate and in that it comprises a flared crossing orifice (14) opening out onto its sides (12, 13), with a substantially circular radial cross-sectional area with a diameter which is substantially greater than that of the helicoidal tube (8, 108) so that the lower rear end (15) of the crossing orifice (14) is not in contact with said tube (8, 108) and the upper rear end (16) of the orifice (14) is tangent to said helicoidal tube (8, 108), this point of contact constituting the point (16) at which the refrigerating element (11) is supported on the helicoidal tube (8, 108).
23. Refrigerating element (11) according to claim 22, characterised in that it comprises a slot (17) allowing said crossing orifice (14) to communicate with the outside of the refrigerating element (11), the form of said slot (17) matching that of the guide rail (9, 108) provided for on the helicoidal tube (8, 108).
24. Refrigerating element (11) according to claim 23, characterised in that it comprises notches (24, 25) on its sides (22, 23) for it to be gripped by the transfer means (30, 121).
25. Refrigerating element (11) according to any of the claims 22 to 24, characterised in that it is designed so that its centre of gravity lies below said supporting point (16) and in that the centre of gravity is axially offset in relation to said supporting point (16) in the its direction of movement on the helicoidal tube (8, 108).
26. Refrigerating element (11) according to any of the claims 22 to 25, characterised in that the refrigerating element (11) has a relief angle (β) located below said supporting point (16), said angle being formed by the angle of inclination of the rear face (13) under the crossing orifice (14).
27. Refrigerating element (11) according to any of the claims 22 to 26, characterised in that the substance which it contains is made up of a eutectic liquid.

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