Patent Application
20130048681
The present invention is directed to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing liquid from a liquid storage container and a replaceable liquid transport assembly for conveying liquid between a liquid storage container and a dispensing location of the dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus may dispense any suitable liquid including but not limited to chilled drinking water, hot water, ambient temperature drinking water, carbonated liquid and/or any combination thereof. The liquid storage container may include but is not limited to a replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle stored in a lower portion of the dispensing apparatus. In its most preferred form, the present invention is directed to a water cooler for dispensing at least chilled drinking water from a replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle stored in a lower portion of the water cooler in an upright orientation.
A significant number of existing water dispensers use gravity as the driving force to dispense water from the water dispenser. In this type of water dispenser, the water bottle is positioned above the dispensing location. These dispensers are referred to as “Top-Loading” water dispensers. Top-Loading water dispensers typically include means for receiving a five (5) gallon water bottle at the uppermost portion of the water dispenser. Five (5) gallon water bottles are quite heavy making it difficult for some individuals to mount the water bottle on the uppermost portion of the water cooler. Top-Loading water dispensers typically dispense water for human consumption. Therefore, it is important that the water contact surfaces of the water dispenser be periodically cleaned. The cleaning process is generally known as “sanitization.” Top-Loading water dispensers typically are simple devices with few components in contact with the drinking water. Hence, the sanitization process is relatively easy. A number of Top-Loading water dispensers are designed to improve the sanitization process. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,361,942 and 5,439,145 disclose Top-Loading water dispensers designed to improve the sanitization process. Ebac Limited sells Top-Loading water dispensers designed to improve the sanitization process utilizing at least some of the features disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,361,942 and 5,439,145 including the removable manifold unit, reservoir and associated plastic or rubber tubing. This removable assembly is marketed under the Ebac Limited trademark WATERTRAIL.
To overcome the problems of Top-Loading water dispensers, water dispensers in which the water bottle is stored in the lower portion of the water dispenser have been proposed. Since these systems cannot rely upon gravity to dispense drinking water, pumps are typically employed to pump the drinking water to the dispensing location located above the water bottle. These types of water dispensers are referred to herein as “Bottom-Loading” water dispensers. An example of such a water dispenser is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0072813. Bottom-Loading water dispensers address the water bottle installation problems associated with Top-Loading water dispensers. However, Bottom-Loading water dispensers employ significantly more water contact components than Top-Loading water dispensers and, therefore, are more difficult to sanitize effectively. Ebac Limited introduced a Bottom-Loading water dispenser under the trademark EASYLOADER with a removable WATERTRAIL in an effort to make sanitization easier. However, this water dispenser was expensive to produce and has not succeeded commercially.
Therefore, there is a significant need for a Bottom-Loading liquid dispenser that can be readily and easily sanitized while also being relatively inexpensive to manufacture. There is also a significant need for a simplified removable liquid transport assembly that conveys liquid between a liquid storage container, one or more reservoirs and a dispensing nozzle or nozzles of the liquid dispenser that can be manufactured at a relatively low cost and can be readily removed and replaced to ensure effective sanitization of the liquid dispenser.
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and unobvious apparatus for dispensing liquid from a liquid storage container.
Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a Bottom-Loading water dispenser that is relatively inexpensive to produce and is also easy to sanitize in a very short period of time.
Still another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a removable liquid transport assembly that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture while allowing for effective sanitization of the water dispenser.
A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a removable liquid transport assembly configured to reduce the number of components thereof including the number of flexible hoses or conduits associated therewith.
Yet another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a Bottom-Loading water dispenser that requires only a single pump to pump water from a liquid storage container to one or more dispensing nozzles of a water dispenser.
Still a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a removable liquid manifold that is substantially rigid with minimal flexible hosing associated therewith to expedite removal and replacement.
Yet still another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a removable liquid transport assembly configured to permit removal of a reservoir, reservoir dip tube, pump head, non-return valve, pressure relief valve, riser tube, pinch tube and dispenser nozzle upon removal of a liquid manifold, i.e., the step of removing the liquid manifold simultaneously effectuates the removal of all of the other aforementioned components of the removable liquid transport assembly.
Still yet a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a removable liquid transport assembly with a liquid storage container dip tube that can be readily separated from the other components of the removable liquid transport assembly to facilitate removal thereof.
Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a Bottom-Loading water dispenser that employs a self-priming pump with a pump head and drive motor where the pump head can be readily disconnected and securely connected to the drive motor to permit the removal and replacement of the pump head.
A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a Bottom-Loading water dispenser that allows water in a reservoir to flow back into a liquid storage container in the event that an operating condition occurs which causes the volume of liquid to rise beyond a predetermined maximum value (e.g., a portion of the liquid in the chilled reservoir should freeze) to prevent damage to one or more components of the water dispenser while preventing liquid in the reservoir from flowing back into the liquid storage container when the volume of liquid does not exceed the predetermined maximum value.
Still a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a Bottom-Loading water dispenser with a non-return valve that is designed to minimize the pressure drop across the non-return valve to reduce the size of the pump and ensure that the non-return valve has little to no effect on the flow of liquid from the liquid storage container to the reservoir.
It must be understood that no one embodiment of the present invention need include all of the aforementioned objects of the present invention. Rather, a given embodiment may include one or none of the aforementioned objects. Accordingly, these objects are not to be used to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention.
In summary, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus dispensing a liquid from a liquid storage container operably associated with the apparatus for dispensing a liquid. The apparatus includes a main housing having a dispensing location at which liquid from a liquid storage container is dispensed and a storage location for storing the liquid storage container. The dispensing location is disposed above at least a portion of the storage location. A reservoir is disposed in the housing. The reservoir is configured to receive a liquid from the liquid storage container prior to the liquid being dispensed from the main housing. A removable manifold is operably connected to the reservoir and the liquid storage container for conveying liquid between the reservoir and the liquid storage container. The removable manifold is further operably connected to the dispensing location to convey a liquid from the reservoir towards the dispensing location. The removable manifold has an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The upper chamber and the lower chamber share a common wall portion. The upper chamber is configured to direct a liquid from the reservoir towards the dispensing location in a substantially horizontal path. The lower chamber is configured to convey liquid between the liquid storage container and the reservoir in a substantially horizontal path. The upper chamber is disposed above the lower chamber.
Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a liquid storage container operably associated with the apparatus for dispensing a liquid. The apparatus includes a main housing having a dispensing location at which liquid from a liquid storage container is dispensed and a storage location for storing a liquid storage container. The dispensing location is disposed above at least a portion of the storage location. A reservoir is disposed in the housing. The reservoir is configured to receive a liquid from the liquid storage container prior to the liquid being dispensed from the main housing. A valve assembly is disposed in a liquid flow path between the liquid storage container and the reservoir. The valve assembly includes a non-return valve and a pressure relief valve. The valve assembly further includes a valve housing for housing the non-return valve and the pressure relief valve. The valve assembly is configured such that when a volume of liquid upstream of the valve assembly exceeds maximum capacity, liquid upstream of the valve assembly can return to the liquid storage container. The valve assembly further is configured such that the non-return valve prevents liquid from flowing from the reservoir to the liquid storage container provided that the maximum capacity has not been exceeded.
A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a liquid storage container operably associated with the apparatus for dispensing a liquid. The apparatus includes a main housing having a dispensing location at which liquid from a liquid storage container is dispensed and a storage location for storing a liquid storage container. The dispensing location is disposed above at least a portion of the storage location. A reservoir is disposed in the housing. The reservoir is configured to receive a liquid from the storage container prior to the liquid being dispensed from the main housing. A valve assembly is disposed in a liquid flow path between the liquid storage container and the reservoir. The valve assembly includes a non-return valve for preventing liquid from the reservoir to flow back into the liquid storage container. The non-return valve includes means for minimizing pressure drop across the non-return valve to minimize the effect the non-return valve has on liquid flow from the liquid storage container to the reservoir.
Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a liquid storage container operably associated with the apparatus for dispensing a liquid. The apparatus includes a main housing having a dispensing location at which liquid from a liquid storage container is dispensed and a storage location for storing a liquid storage container. The dispensing location is disposed above at least a portion of the storage location. A reservoir is disposed in the housing. The reservoir is configured to receive a liquid from the liquid storage container prior to the liquid being dispensed from the main housing. A self-priming pump has a pump head detachably connected to a drive motor. The self-priming pump is configured to pump liquid from the liquid storage container to the reservoir. The pump head is disposed in a removable manifold to allow the pump head to be readily replaced. The pump includes a drive pin and a drive crank. At least one of the drive crank and the drive pin includes means for facilitating mating of the pump head and the drive motor.
Still a further preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a liquid storage container operably associated with the apparatus for dispensing a liquid. The apparatus includes a main housing having a dispensing location at which liquid from a liquid storage container is dispensed and a storage location for storing a liquid storage container. The dispensing location is disposed above at least a portion of the liquid storage location. The apparatus further includes a removable liquid transport assembly including a substantially rigid liquid manifold, a valve assembly, a reservoir and a pump head. The removable liquid transport assembly being configured such that the substantially rigid liquid manifold, the valve assembly, the reservoir and the pump head are removable from the main housing as a single unit. The substantially rigid liquid manifold having a liquid flow channel through which liquid traveling between the liquid storage container and the reservoir passes. At least a portion of the pump head is disposed in the liquid flow channel of the substantially rigid manifold. At least a portion of the valve assembly is disposed in the liquid flow channel of the substantially rigid liquid manifold. The liquid flow channel is configured to connect the valve assembly to the pump head without using any flexible tubing. The reservoir is connected to the liquid flow channel of the substantially rigid manifold. The valve assembly includes at least one of a pressure relief valve and a non-return valve.
Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a liquid transport assembly for a liquid dispenser to convey a liquid between a liquid storage container and a dispensing location of the liquid dispenser. The liquid transport assembly includes a removable liquid transport assembly configured to be readily installed in and removed from a liquid dispenser to permit the liquid dispenser to be readily sanitized. The removable liquid transport assembly includes a substantially rigid liquid manifold, a valve assembly, a reservoir and a pump head. The removable liquid transport assembly is configured such that the substantially rigid liquid manifold, the valve assembly, the reservoir and the pump head are removable from the liquid dispenser as a single unit. The substantially rigid liquid manifold has a liquid flow channel through which liquid travel passes during operation of the liquid dispenser. At least a portion of the pump head is disposed in the liquid flow channel of the substantially rigid manifold. At least a portion of the valve assembly is disposed in the liquid flow channel of the substantially rigid liquid manifold. The liquid flow channel is configured to connect the valve assembly to the pump head without using any flexible tubing. The reservoir is connected to the liquid flow channel of the substantially rigid manifold. The valve assembly includes at least one of a pressure relief valve and a non-return valve.
A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a liquid transport assembly for a liquid dispenser to convey a liquid between a liquid storage, container and a dispensing location of the liquid dispenser. The liquid transport assembly includes a removable liquid transport assembly configured to be readily installed in and removed from a liquid dispenser to permit the liquid dispenser to be readily sanitized. The removable liquid transport assembly includes a liquid manifold, a valve assembly, a reservoir and a pump head. The removable liquid transport assembly is configured such that the liquid manifold, the valve assembly, the reservoir and the pump head are removable from the liquid dispenser as a single unit. The valve assembly includes at least a pressure relief valve.
The preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to
Referring to
Referring to
Conduit housing 8 preferably houses a pinch tube 12 and a dispensing nozzle 14. In the most preferred form, as seen in
The removable liquid transport assembly H further includes a reservoir 26 having a neck portion with external threads corresponding to the internal threads of collar 22 so that the reservoir 26 can be readily connected to liquid manifold 10. It will be readily appreciated that reservoir 26 may be connected to liquid manifold 10 in numerous other ways. The removable liquid transport assembly H further includes a reservoir dip tube 28, a pump head 30, a valve assembly 32, a riser tube 34 and a liquid storage container dip tube 36 having a connecting member 38 for removably connecting the liquid storage container dip tube 36 to the lower end 40 of riser tube 34. As shown in
The secondary dispensing port 24 may be connected to a hot water supply assembly I including a hot water reservoir (not shown), a hot water reservoir dip tube (not shown), a heating element (not shown), one or more conduits (not shown) for conveying hot water from the hot water reservoir to a second dispensing nozzle (not shown). The hot water supply assembly I can be omitted. Where the hot water supply assembly I is omitted, the secondary dispensing port 24 may be plugged to prevent the flow of water through port 24. Alternatively, the secondary dispensing port 24 may be operably connected to a second dispensing nozzle in a well-known manner to dispense water at ambient temperature through the second dispensing nozzle when lever 44 is depressed. Alternatively, the secondary dispensing port 24 can be connected to a carbonated liquid source to dispense a carbonated liquid from the second dispensing nozzle.
Cold water tap lever 46 controls the flow of chilled water from reservoir 26 through dispensing nozzle 14. Referring to
Pinch valve 50 is operably associated with lever 44 to act in a similar manner to permit and prevent liquid to flow out a second dispensing nozzle (not shown). In the most preferred form, the liquid dispensed from the second dispensing nozzle is hot water. When lever 44 is depressed, pump J pumps liquid from container E through dip tube 36 and riser tube 34 into lower chamber 16 of liquid manifold 10 and out secondary dispensing port 24 into a hot water reservoir which in turn causes the hot water stored in the water heating reservoir to flow through a dip tube into one or more conduits connecting the hot water reservoir to the second dispensing nozzle (not shown) and ultimately out the second dispensing nozzle (not shown).
Referring to
The non-return valve 58 is designed to minimize the pressure drop across the non-return valve to prevent the non-return valve from adversely affecting the flow of liquid from container E to reservoir 26. By designing the valve 58 to have minimal effect on the flow of liquid, the preferred embodiment can minimize the size of the pump. The pressure drop is minimized by the fact that to open the valve 58 flow in the forward direction must pull against the full area of the diaphragm 66 while to close the valve 58 spring 62 need only overcome the annular seat 67 of sealing ring 68. As is readily evident from
Vent hole 20 allows air to escape through dispensing nozzle 46. When the supply of liquid in container E is exhausted, a small amount of air will be pumped through the liquid transport assembly and vented through vent hole 20 effectively stopping the liquid dispenser A from dispensing liquid until the exhausted container E is replaced.
The pressure relief valve 60 includes a sealing element 76, a spring 78 and vent hole 80 formed in sealing ring 68. Should the volume of the liquid upstream of valve assembly 52 increase beyond a predetermined maximum volume, the upstream liquid will exert a downward force on sealing element 76 which in turn opens vent hole 80 allowing upstream liquid to return to container E. Once a sufficient amount of upstream liquid has returned to container E, the force of spring 78 will return sealing element 76 to the closed position preventing any additional upstream liquid from flowing back into container E. It should be noted that when liquid flows upwardly from container E in route to reservoir 26 the liquid does not pass through pressure relief valve 60 as the sealing element 76 is in the position shown in
As seen in
The self-priming pump J will now be described in greater detail with reference being made to
To readily replace the bulk of the liquid transport assembly H, one need only raise lid F, raise latch 104 to the position shown in
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that the preferred design can be further modified or adapted following in general the principles of the invention and including but not limited to such departures from the present invention as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains. The claims are not limited to the preferred embodiment and have been written to preclude such a narrow construction using the principles of claim differentiation.
