WO2014091284A1

WO2014091284A1 - Public fountain comprising at least one dispenser with improved means for water drawing

Info

Publication number: WO2014091284A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/002673
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianni Grottini; Maurizio Fiori
Original assignee: Blupura S.R.L.
Priority date: 2012-12-10
Filing date: 2013-11-28
Publication date: 2014-06-19
Also published as: ITAN20120087U1

Abstract

The object of the present invention is a drawing station (4) of a public fountain (1), comprising a compartment (5) for the placement of a container (6) to be filled with drinking water. The opening (7) for accessing said compartment (5) has size and profile according to the shape of the container (6) to be placed therein.

Description

PUBLIC FOUNTAIN COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE DISPENSER WITH IMPROVED MEANS FOR WATER DRAWING

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a machinery for the supply and dispensing of drinking water, in particular in public places.

Water and beverage dispensing equipment, especially used in catering places, such as restaurants, hotels, bars, cafeterias and communities, have long been known.

In recent times, such water dispensers (a term that will be used, hereinafter, to identify a generic "beverage dispensing equipment") have become widespread also in outdoor places, such as in city squares and streets, included within containment structures, so as to constitute actual public fountains.

The term "public fountain", therefore, hereinafter, indicates an equipment comprising a support structure adapted to contain at least one water dispenser for the supply of drinking water to city users.

Both public fountains and water dispensers associated thereto have standardized construction and operating features that do not require extensive discussion in the present description.

Herein, suffice it to say that the water dispenser requires connection to the aqueduct water mains and/or to storage tanks, and is capable of supplying drinking water (after purification, where necessary, with known filtering means and/or bacteria purification units) at room and/or refrigerated (through known refrigeration means) temperature and/or carbonated water (through the addition of carbon dioxide) .

With regard to the containment and support structure incorporating said one or more water dispensers, architectural configurations are known having a wide variety of shapes, depending on the design made by the manufacturer or requested by the public body, associated to technical-functional and aesthetic elements for a more complete enjoyment by the users.

Public fountains are already known in the field, provided with a shelter roof, preferably provided with solar panels adapted to provide the energy required to operate the water dispenser and/or the electronic accessories associated thereto. Public fountains are also equally known, provided with audio-visual means for broadcasting multimedia content to the user, typically oriented to the broadcasting of advertising messages or to the display of the instructions to use the public fountain. By way of example, reference shall be made to Patents no. US 2004129723 and DE 202006004151, both describing a structure containing a water dispenser and a screen to view audio-visual content.

As in the prior art, public fountains are further provided with dedicated controls to start the dispensing function, typically including at least one currency acceptance device (or suitable prepaid card) and at least one push-button panel adapted to select the drawing station, the type of beverage dispensed and its amount.

One of the aspects to be improved in public fountains so far known is directly related to the drawing station to which the user access to fill water containers. In fact, the typical public fountain of the prior art provides one or more drawing stations characterised by a substantially free access to the dispensing faucet, provided with a support surface on which the user places a container of variable capacity, depending on the desired amount of water and selected through the appropriate controls.

Such a freedom of use, if positive as regards versatility, often causes problems due to the high variability of the containers used, which makes it a source of hesitations and uncertainties for users not accustomed to using the public fountain: this causes usage slowness and complications and waste of water in case of wrong selection of the amount to be dispensed or of use of an unsuitable container.

An object of the present invention is to provide a public fountain having one or more drawing stations provided with suitable means adapted to facilitate the drawing of the water dispensed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide control means for the proper activation of the dispensing function of the water drawing station.

Further features of the present invention shall be better highlighted by the following description of a preferred embodiment, in accordance with the patent claims and illustrated in the enclosed designs. Such figures should be considered as having an illustrative and non-limiting purpose, in which:

- fig. 1 shows a front view of the public fountain provided with the drawing station according to a first variant of the invention;

- fig. 2 shows a detail of the drawing station according to a first variant of the invention;

- fig. 3 shows a detail of the drawing station according to a second variant of the invention;

- fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the public fountain provided with the drawing station according to a first variant of the invention.

The features of the finding shall now be described using the reference numerals contained in the figures and with particular reference to the variants represented therein.

Reference numeral 1 globally indicates the public fountain, typically comprising a containment and support structure 2 for one or more water dispensers.

In the accompanying figures, said structure 2 appears like a box-shaped element having a substantially parallelepiped shape, but of course it can take the most varied architectural configurations, in order to adapt to the intended public place. A roofing 3 is superiorly associated with the structure 2, preferably comprising one or more photovoltaic panels 3.1 for the generation of electrical energy, directly usable by the electrical components present in the public fountain 1. Said structure 2 defines an internal volume adapted to accommodate the known construction-functional components of a typical public fountain, starting from one or more water dispensers and related hydraulic circuitry, refrigeration, gasification, filtration, sanitisation and other units, all elements that do not require a thorough discussion as they are part of the prior art in the field.

The front wall 2.1 of structure 2 accommodates the user interface components for the dispensing of drinking water and for using any accessory elements.

In addition to the one or more water drawing stations 4, which shall be more fully described hereinafter as they are strictly related to the object of the present invention, a screen 11 may be located on such a front wall 2.1 for broadcasting audio-visual material addressed to the users of the public fountain 1.

Said screen 11 can advantageously be set up for the broadcasting of any multimedia content, consisting for example of advertisements, entertainment movies, video demonstrations of the proper use of the public fountain 1.

As per prior art, the power on of screen 1 1 can be activated by typical sensor means (such as photocells, proximity sensors, control cameras), adapted to detect the presence of the user in the vicinity of the one or more drawing stations 4 of the public fountain 1.

Moreover, at least one device 8 is generally provided on the front wall 2.1 of structure 2 for the insertion and acceptance of the currency, typically a coin slot or similar equipment for entering banknotes, credit cards or prepaid cards, adapted to allow the user accreditation for the activation of the dispensing function by the water dispenser.

Said at least one device 8 for inserting the currency is preferably, but not necessarily, located in close proximity of the one or more drawing stations 4; it is connected, for example electronically, to a suitable display 9 which provides information on the credit inserted and available to the user.

The same display 9 (or a further information display) may also be used as a display for displaying the amount and the type of beverage selected by the user: as per prior art, such options are selectable by means of one or more controls 10, preferably located in the vicinity of the one or more drawing stations 4.

Said selection controls 10 include typical push-buttons or rotating knobs; alternatively, according to a preferred variant, such controls 10 may consist of a touch-screen selector, suitable both for the selection and for the display of the selection made (in this case, the presence of display 9 is redundant, with the touch-screen selector that performs both functions).

Said selection controls 10 and said display 9 may also be functionally included in the same screen 11, adapted to both the broadcasting of audio-visual material and the touch-screen selection and display of credit, beverage and drawing station selected.

The selection controls 10 are adapted to manage the operation of a single drawing station 4, or of a plurality of drawing stations 4 or still, of a drawing station 4 provided with multiple water dispensing means, in order to allow for the single or multiple filling of the containers placed by the user.

Figs. 3 and 4, in addition to showing a possible variation of the spatial arrangement and of the features of the above-mentioned "device 8 for the currency - display 9 - selection controls 10", also show in detail the object of the present invention, which relates to the drawing station 4 and the associated means for an improved drawing of water by the users.

Of a single drawing station 4, reference numeral 5 indicates a compartment wherein container 6 with which water is drawn from the dispensing nozzle 5.2 of a water dispenser is placed.

Compartment 5 is inferiorly provided with a base 5.1 for the positioning and support of said container 6, said base 5.1 preferably consisting of a grid (or similar surface provided with openings), so as to favour the drainage of any water escaping from the container.

Said compartment 5 is configured as a space obtained in structure 2 of the public fountain 1, surrounded by a covering panel 7.1 on the front, belonging to the front wall 2.1 or fixed substantially in line to said front wall 2.1. As clearly shown in figs. 3 and 4, such a compartment 5 is accessible to the user through an opening 7 made on said panel 7.1 and having a size and an outer profile according to the shape of container 6 to be placed therein.

In the example of fig. 3, opening 7 takes the shape of a stylized bottle-like outline, so that compartment 5 is adapted to the exclusive insertion of a single bottle 6, having the required size according to the usage rules of the public fountain 1 for the corresponding drawing station 4.

On the other hand, in the example of fig. 4, opening 7 made in panel 7.1 delimits a wider entrance of compartment 5, which may allow the placement of a larger number of containers 6 or a single rack containing a plurality of bottles.

According to such a variant, compartment 5 is thus provided with multiple dispensing nozzles 5.2, in order to allow a multiple and simultaneous filling of the underlying containers 6.

More in particular, fig. 4 shows a variant of the drawing station 4 comprising an opening 7 which defines the access to a compartment 5 adapted to the placement of a rack accommodating the two containers 6, each of which has a precise arrangement below the corresponding dispensing nozzle 5.2 of the water dispenser.

Of course, it is sufficient to provide a compartment 5 of greater depth and provided with four dispensing nozzles 5.2 to allow insertion of a rack accommodating four containers 6.

It is noted that, in the variants shown in the accompanying figures, panel 7.1 has not only the task of defining the front space of compartment 5 through opening 7 to access the container, but also the openings for the insertion and display of device 8 for currency, display 9, selection controls 10 and screen 1 1, are made thereon. However, this is not mandatory, said elements also being able to be placed outside panel 7.1; in this case, such panel 7.1 is only intended to serve for opening 7 for compartment 5 of the drawing station 4,

The advantages that can be achieved with the drawing unit 4 provided with opening 7 for accessing compartment 5 clearly appear from the description of the present invention, mainly related to a more convenient use of the public fountain 1 and to its usage rules according to the directives set forth by the operator.

In fact, the drawing station 4 just described allows the users a guided insertion of the container which is more suitable to the filling of the water dispensed, both in terms of correct position (so that the entrance of the container is perfectly aligned with the overlying dispensing nozzle 5.2) and from the viewpoint of the suitable volumetric capacity.

This increases the simplicity and speed of use of the public fountain 1, avoiding that users are indiscriminately left the choice of the container to be used, as occurs in public fountains known so far, preventing the use of unsuitable containers, liable to cause damage to the structure of the public fountain or cause waste of water dispensed.

Moreover, the fact that compartment 5 is accessible only through opening 7 shaped ad hoc, greatly limits the possibility of vandalism directed to the hygienic-sanitary contamination of the water dispensing means.

Finally, the drawing unit 4 thus implemented allows the public fountain operator to regulate the use thereof in a manner more consistent with the rules.

It is clear that several variants of the drawing station 4 and of the relevant shaped opening 7 described above are possible to the man skilled in the art, without departing from the novelty scopes of the inventive idea, as well as it is clear that in the practical embodiment of the invention, the various components described above may be replaced with technically equivalent ones.

For example, in the disclosure of the invention, reference is always made to a drawing station 4 for dispensing drinking water, but the same teachings can obviously be applied to a public fountain provided with a dispenser capable of dispensing any type of beverage.

Likewise, the invention is applicable to any equipment dispensing beverages, not necessarily defined as "public fountain" (as installable outdoors and for a use intended for city users), but also for those dispensers that can be used in indoor environments, in public catering places and in commercial and production shops. Likewise, opening 7 defining access to compartment 5 can take different sizes and profiles, according to other types of containers 6 prescribed by the usage rules of the public fountain 1.

For example, so far, reference has been made to an opening 7 which allows the insertion of a predefined container 6, where the term "predefined" is to be understood as a container having size and profile not exceeding those allowed by such an opening 7 (the latter not preventing, however, the placement of small containers).

However, it may also be contemplated that said opening 7 is shaped in such a way that the container insertable in compartment 5 has strictly obligated size and profile, namely that an actual shape coupling is obtained between said compartment 5 and container 6, with the latter specifically made to be used exclusively with the public fountain 1 provided with such drawing stations 4. Finally, compartment 5 of the drawing unit 4 may be provided with known control and activation means (for example cameras, sensors, photocells), optionally connected to visual and/or audible means adapted to verify the correct insertion of container 6 below the dispensing nozzle 5.2, as well as verifying that said container 6 does not contain foreign bodies therein and can accept the water delivered.

In addition, the public fountain 1 thus described may further be provided with electronic equipment accessories that can improve the usability and ease of use by the user: in particular, structure 2 may be associated with a Wi-Fi hotspot to connect the user's electronic devices (laptops, cell phones, smartphones, tablets) to the Internet.

Additionally, embedded in the same structure 2 or directly inserted in compartment 5 of the drawing station 4, there may be a radio-frequency identification (RFID) system reader (or similar identification technology, such as, for example, a system for reading barcodes or magnetic strips), able to read the RFID tag inserted in container 6, so as to allow the unique association between said container 6, said drawing station 4 and said user.

More precisely, an identification system of this kind allows the public fountain 1 to understand whether the user has the necessary requirements (i.e. sufficient money credit for the selection made and container 6 suitable to be inserted in compartment 5) to activate the beverage drawing function, because all of this information is directly inserted in the RFID tag incorporated into said container 6: in this way, the user may draw the beverages, provided he/she has the requirements listed above, without the need to use device 8 for the insertion of the currency, but only having to select the amount and type of beverage via the selection controls 10.

Claims

A drawing station (4) of a public fountain (1) for the dispensing of beverages, including:

- a compartment (5) adapted to the placement of at least one container (6) to be filled,

- a base (5.1) for supporting said at least one container (6),

- at least one dispensing nozzle (5.2) for said beverages,

- an opening (7) for accessing said compartment (5),

characterised in that

said compartment (5) is surrounded by a covering panel (7.1) on the front on which said opening (7) is made,

and in that

said opening (7) has such size and profile as to allow the insertion of a predefined container (6) in said compartment (5), said predefined container (6) having a shape according to the usage rules of said public fountain (1) for said drawing station (4).

A drawing station (4) according to claim 1 ,

characterised in that

said opening (7) has the shape of a stylized bottle-like outline, adapted to allow the insertion of a single bottle (6) having size and profile not greater than those of said opening (7).

A drawing station (4) according to claim 1 ,

characterised in that

said opening (7) has the shape of a stylized bottle-holder rack outline adapted to allow the insertion of multiple bottles (6) or a single rack (6) containing multiple bottles, said containers (6) having size and profile not greater than those of said opening (7).

A drawing station (4) according to the previous claim,

characterised in that

it comprises a plurality of dispensing nozzles (5.2), adapted to the multiple and simultaneous filling of said plurality of bottles (6).

A drawing station (4) according to claim 1 ,

characterised in that

said base (5.1) for the placement and support of said container (6) comprises a grid or similar surface provided with openings, suitable to facilitate the drainage of any beverage escaping from said container (6).

A drawing station (4) according to any previous claim,

characterised in that

said compartment (5) further comprises control and activation means adapted to verify the correct placement of the container (6) below the dispensing nozzle (5.2) and the absence of foreign bodies inside said container (6).

A drawing station (4) according to the previous claim,

characterised in that

said control and activation means are connected to visual and/or audible means adapted to signal the misplacement of said container (6) or the presence of foreign bodies therein.

A drawing station (4) according to any claim 2 or 3,

characterised in that

said opening (7) allows the exclusive insertion of a container (6) in said compartment (5) having obligated size and profile, said compartment (5) and container (6) achieving a mutual shape coupling. A container (6) for a drawing station (4) made according to any of claims 1 to 8,

characterised in that

it has such a size and profile as to achieve a shape coupling with the compartment (5) in which it must be placed, the opening (7) of said compartment (5) allowing the exclusive insertion of said container (6). A public fountain (1) for beverage dispensing, comprising: - at least one beverage dispenser,

- a support and containment structure (2) of said at least one beverage dispenser,

- at least one drawing station (4) of the beverages, provided with a compartment (5) adapted to the placement of a container (6) at a dispensing nozzle (5.2),

characterised in that

said at least one drawing station (4) is made according to any of claims 1 to 8.

A public fountain (1) according to the previous claim,

characterised in that

said structure (2) is superiorly associated with a shelter roof (3), comprising one or more photovoltaic panels (3.1).

A public fountain (1) according to any claim from 10 onwards, characterised in that

further comprising a screen (1 1) for the broadcasting of audio-visual material intended for the users of said public fountain (1).

A public fountain (1) according to the previous claim,

characterised in that

the power on of said screen (1 1) is activated by sensor means, set up to detect the presence of the user in the vicinity of the at least one drawing station (4).

said beverages comprise one or more types of drinking water, selectable from filtered and/or room temperature and/or refrigerated and/or carbonated water.

it is provided with a Wi-Fi hotspot for the connection of electronic devices to the Internet.

it is provided with an RFID radio-frequency identification system or similar identification technology, comprising a reader for reading an RFID tag inserted in the container (6) adapted to be placed in the compartment (5) of the drawing station (4),

said identification system allowing the unique association between said container (6), said drawing station (4) and the user of said public fountain (1).