Patent Application
20220161289
The present disclosure generally relates to water coolers and/or fountains, bubblers, water bottler fillers, and other water or drink dispensing devices, and, more specifically, systems and methods for protecting the output orifices from contamination.
Water coolers, also referred to herein as drinking fountains, typically include an exposed orifice through which water is ejected in an upward arc. A user of the cooler or fountain lowers his or her head toward the stream of water to take a drink. The close proximity of the user's mouth to the exposed orifice can lead to contamination of the orifice, the water stream, and/or the area surrounding the exposed orifice. Some water coolers or fountains may also or alternatively include a downward facing orifice which may be used to fill a water bottle. This orifice may be contacted by the lip or top of a user's bottle, which can lead to similar contamination of the orifice, the water stream, and/or the area surrounding the exposed orifice.
In certain water cooler devices, a water filtration system may operate to purify or clean the water before it is ejected out of the exposed orifice. However, this filtration system does not address contamination that is left behind on the exposed orifice or nearby the exposed orifice, which may be picked up by the water stream as it is ejected. A second user who operates the water cooler or fountain may then become contaminated by using the cooler or fountain, such as by the water stream picking up any contamination left behind by the previous user.
There is a need for systems and methods for protecting water coolers and fountains from contamination, and to protect users from contaminating each other via the cooler or fountain and the stream of water ejected by the exposed orifice.
The present disclosure summarizes aspects of some example embodiments and should not be used to limit the claims. Other implementations are contemplated in accordance with the techniques described herein, as will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description, and these implementations are intended to be within the scope of this application.
Example embodiments are shown for an orifice protection device for a water dispensing device. In one example, the orifice protection device includes a housing configured to surround an output orifice of the water fountain through which water is ejected, a door movably attached to the housing and configured to move from an open position in which the output orifice is exposed, and a closed position in which the output orifice is enclosed within the housing, an actuator configured to move the door between the open position and the closed position, a purification mechanism positioned within the housing and configured to sanitize the output orifice, a sensor configured to enable touchless operation of the door, and an indicator light configured to indicate that the output orifice of the water fountain has been sanitized.
In some examples, the orifice protection device is configured to operate around a bubbler orifice of a water fountain. In further examples, the orifice protection device is configured to operate around a bottle filler orifice of a water fountain.
For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to embodiments shown in the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and related elements may be omitted, or in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated, so as to emphasize and clearly illustrate the novel features described herein. In addition, system components can be variously arranged, as known in the art. Further, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
While the invention may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
As noted above, a typical water cooler or fountain (which may also be referred to as a “drinking fountain” or “bubbler,” all of which are used interchangeably herein) can include multiple orifices through which water is ejected. A first orifice through which water is ejected for a user may be referred to herein as a bubbler orifice. For a bubbler orifice, water is typically ejected upward in an arc, so as to be available for consumption by a user.
With the above issues in mind, a first example orifice protection device for a water fountain may be configured to protect the bubbler orifice and surrounding areas. In one example embodiment, the device includes an enclosure surrounding the exposed bubbler orifice 110 in combination with a disinfecting mechanism to prevent contamination from residing on the exposed bubbler orifice 110 and/or surfaces nearby or adjacent to the exposed bubbler orifice. In this example embodiment, the disinfecting mechanism is an ultraviolet (UV) radiation source within the bubbler orifice. The UV radiation source operates to clean the bubbler orifice and surrounding surfaces of the water fountain, thereby eliminating or rendering inactive the source of contamination. In some examples, the UV light source may be configured to emit a specific wavelength of light. For instance, the UV light source may be configured to emit UVA radiation (320-400 nm), UVB radiation (280-320 nm) and/or UVC radiation (200-280 nm). It should be appreciated that the light source may be configured to emit light having a multiple wavelengths, a single wavelength, and/or may be configured to emit light in one or more of ranges noted above and outside those ranges as well. In particular examples, UVC light (e.g., 200-280 nm) may be used due to the particular susceptibility of contaminants to this wavelength of light.
In certain embodiments, the disinfecting mechanism includes a UVC light source having a lower wavelength, such as a wavelength of 222 nm. In such embodiments, the UVC light source wavelength may be selected so that it is capable of disinfecting certain contaminants, while remaining relatively safe even when people are exposed to the light. This can allow for the bubbler or other water source to be purified without the need for a cover or housing to protect a user from the UV light source when in operation. For example, one source of radiation having a 222 nm wavelength is a krypton chloride excimer lamp. Furthermore, operation at this wavelength may enable a “low dose” of UV light to be used that effectively destroys contaminants. The low dose may be as low as or less than 2 mJ/cm2. In some examples, the low dose may be as low as 1.3 mJ/cm2. It should be appreciated that other amounts may be used as well.
In other embodiments, example orifice protection devices may also provide an actuator or movable door that opens and closes to respectively enable a user to drink from the bubbler orifice 110 when open, and to enable the disinfecting mechanism to operate without risk to the user when closed. Further, the example orifice protection device may provide for hands-free or partially hands free operation of the water fountain, which limits the likelihood of transmission of contamination from one user to another via the water fountain.
The housing 210 may be configured to entirely or partially replace an existing guard of a bubbler orifice. In some examples, the housing 210 may be manufactured in two parts, which fit together to fully or partially enclose the exposed bubbler orifice 112, as well as one or more of the other various components or parts of the device (e.g., the actuator 230, purification mechanism 24, sensor 250, and/or display mechanism 260). In some examples, the housing 210 may be made from any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, an alloy, or any other suitable material. The material selected may be such that it has antimicrobial or anti-contamination properties that make it easier for the material to be cleaned and remain contamination free.
One or more sections or parts of the housing 210 may be made from a material or manufactured such that this section enables the sensor 250 to work properly. For instance, the housing 250 may include a small opening through which the sensor 250 is aimed such that a motion of a user may be sensed. Alternatively or additionally, the material of the housing may be selected or configured such that it is transparent or semi-transparent in a particular spectrum used by the sensor 250. This may enable the sensor to operate effectively while remaining enclosed by the housing 210.
The housing 210 may also be made from a material that is opaque to UV light, and/or whatever the particular light that is used by the purification mechanism. This may prevent the UV light from the purification mechanism 240 from leaking out and potentially causing harm.
The door 220 may be configured to open and close automatically. This automatic operation may be caused by signals received from the sensor 250. In some examples, the door 250 may be generally rectangular in shape, and/or may include a curve that follows the contours of the housing 210 as shown in
In some examples, the door 220 may be attached to the housing 210 via a hinge located at a top of the door 220, oriented such that the door 220 swings inward into the interior of the housing 210. However, it should be understood that the door may be hinged on a different side or edge of the door 220, the door 220 may swing outward from the housing 210 rather than inward, or some other door mechanism may be used. For instance, the door may instead comprise two or more pieces which each have a hinge or connection mechanism. Further, the door 220 may be configured to slide open (similar to a garage door), rotate open (similar to an iris of a lens), or open using any other suitable mechanism or method of operation.
In the embodiment shown in the figures, the door 220 is configured to open inwardly to the housing 210, such that the water stream ejected by the bubbler orifice 112 is blocked when the door 220 is closed, and the bubbler orifice 112 is not blocked when the door 220 is open.
The door 220 may be attached to an actuator 230, which may be configured to move the door 220 between an open position and a closed position. In alternative embodiments, the door 220 may be configured to move between an open position and a closed position by any variety of methods well known in the art.
The actuator 230 in the illustrated embodiment is a solenoid that is attached to the door 220. The actuator 230 rotates in order to open and close the door 220. In the embodiment shown in
In some examples, the actuator 230 may also be configured to cause the water stream to be ejected by the bubbler orifice 112. This can include the actuator causing a mechanical operation such as causing a button to be pressed, or causing an electrical signal to be passed to the appropriate mechanism. Alternatively, the water fountain may include a separate actuator or control mechanism configured to activate the water stream from the bubbler orifice 112.
The purification mechanism 240 may be configured to disinfect or inactivate any contamination that may be present. To operate effectively, the purification mechanism may be attached to the housing 210 and positioned internally. In the example shown in the Figures, the purification mechanism 240 comprises an ultraviolet LED (e.g., UVC LED) that is aimed at the bubbler orifice 112 and various nearby or surrounding surfaces. The light emitted by the LED may act to disinfect the external surface of the bubbler orifice 112, and any water sitting on nearby surfaces within the housing 210.
The purification mechanism 240 may be configured to activate automatically for a predetermined amount of time responsive to the door 220 transitioning from an open state to a closed state. In an alternative embodiment, the purification mechanism 240 may be configured to be manually activated for any period of time as determined by the user. It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, both the activation and the duration of the activation of the purification mechanism 240 may be determined by the user.
The sensor 250 may be a hands free sensor configured to determine when a user has approached the water fountain and intends to take a drink. In some examples, the sensor 250 may be a light sensor aimed at a position where the user typically stands while using the water fountain. When a change in status occurs, the sensor 250 may trigger one or more functions such as an opening of the door 220, dispensing of water from the bubbler orifice 112, and more. When the user is done and leaves the area (and/or the sensor 250 detects a change in status), the door 220 may be configured to close and the purification mechanism 240 may be configured to activate to clean the area.
The display mechanism 260 may be an LED or indicator light that changes status based on one or more factors. In some examples, the indicator light may be lit when the device has performed a sanitization and the water fountain is ready to be used. After each use, the indicator light may be unlit for a period of time during which purification or sanitization is performed. This may be, for example, five seconds. After the period of time has elapsed (and the purification system has been activated for the period of time), the indicator light may again be lit to indicate that the water fountain is ready to use.
In some examples, the water fountain may be operable by user rather than being entirely hands-free. For instance, a mechanical mechanism (such as a bar on the front of the water fountain) may still be pressed or activated by a user to cause the door 220 to be opened and water to be ejected from the bubbler orifice.
The bottle filler orifice of the water fountain 200 may include a downward facing spout, configured to eject water into a water bottle positioned below the spout as shown in
The orifice protection device 204 may include a housing, door, actuator, purification mechanism, sensor, and/or display mechanism configured to operate in a manner similar to those described above with respect to
As noted above, some embodiments of the present disclosure may not include a housing or other covering mechanism for the purification mechanism (e.g., UV light source). For instance, some embodiments may include a UVC light source configured to emit light having a particular wavelength that is safe for humans, but is destructive or harmful to certain contaminants. This wavelength may be 222 nm, which corresponds to the low end of the UVC spectrum range. In this case, an example orifice protection device for a water dispensing device such as a bubbler, water fountain, or bottle filler may include a housing coupleable to the water dispensing device and a purification mechanism coupled to the housing, the purification mechanism configured to sanitize an output orifice of the water dispensing device. In some examples, the purification mechanism comprises an ultraviolet light source oriented to expose the output orifice of the water dispensing device to emitted ultraviolet light. Additionally, the UV light source may be configured to emit ultraviolet C (UVC) light, and in some examples specifically UV light having a wavelength of 222 nm. Further, the ultraviolet light source may be configured to emit light at an intensity of less than 2 mJ/cm2.
In this application, the use of the disjunctive is intended to include the conjunctive. The use of definite or indefinite articles is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to “the” object or “a” and “an” object is intended to denote also one of a possible plurality of such objects. Further, the conjunction “or” may be used to convey features that are simultaneously present instead of mutually exclusive alternatives. In other words, the conjunction “or” should be understood to include “and/or”. The terms “includes,” “including,” and “include” are inclusive and have the same scope as “comprises,” “comprising,” and “comprise” respectively.
The above-described embodiments, and particularly any “preferred” embodiments, are possible examples of implementations and merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the techniques described herein. All modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/117,402, filed Nov. 23, 2020, which is fully incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63117402 | Nov 2020 | US |
