Lee C Jones

US Patent:

57852049, Jul 28, 1998

Filed:

May 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/652924

Inventors:

George L. Thompson - Snellville GA
Kathleen Fitzsimmons Socha - Smyrna GA
Lee Jones - Atlanta GA

Assignee:

The Coca-Cola Company - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

A24F 1504

US Classification:

221 24

Abstract:

A vending machine installation includes a misting accessory which discharges an evaporative cooling mist and is provided for interactive operation by a customer purchasing a product. The misting accessory is disposed above the vending machine or machines and includes a mist nozzle assembly within a simulated beverage bottle surrounded by a simulated bed of ice. Also provided is a sound generator for simulating the sound of gas escaping from the opening of the container of the beverage in response to vend signals generated by the customer operating the machine. The sound generator and the mister are initiated simultaneously. The simulated beverage bottle may be provided with a hinged bottle cap which flips open during operation of the mister. A pavilion incorporating vending machines and an array of misting nozzle assemblies provides evaporative cooling to persons within the pavilion. The vending machine installation and the pavilion employ nozzle assemblies which discharge an evaporative cooling mist formed by combining a water/air mist and an air delivery current.