AU2008221526B2

AU2008221526B2 - Water Dispenser

Info

Publication number: AU2008221526B2
Application number: AU2008221526A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nicholas Michael O'loughlin; Thomas Paul Wilson
Original assignee: Sunbeam Corp Ltd; Sunbeam Corp
Current assignee: Sunbeam Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2007-09-19
Filing date: 2008-09-18
Publication date: 2014-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2028-09-18
Also published as: AU2008221526A1; CN101444396A; NZ571434A

Abstract

A water dispensing unit comprising: a housing; 5 a reservoir mounted in the housing, the reservoir being adapted to receive water from an external source, said reservoir having an outlet aperture; a pump mounted to the reservoir, the pump having a pump inlet, a pump outlet and a pump chamber, wherein the pump inlet is mounted at the outlet aperture, so that the pump chamber is in open fluid communication with the reservoir; 10 a water filter mounted to the housing, the water filter having a water filter inlet and a water filter outlet, the water filter inlet being in fluid communication with the pump outlet; and a spout mounted on the housing, the spout being in fluid communication with the water filter outlet. *~- A Figure 1

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 Sunbeam Corporation Limited COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: Water Dispenser The invention is described in the following statement: 2 Field of Invention The present invention relates to water dispensing units for dispensing drinking water and in particular to bench top water dispensing units having chilling and filtering functions. 5 Background of the Invention Water dispensing units are used to provide a convenient source of drinking water and can incorporate water filters for filtering water prior to dispensing. In one such water dispensing unit, a user places water in a reservoir arranged above and in fluid 10 communication with a ceramic water filter. The water is drawn through the filter by gravity and the filtered water is retained in a storage tank for dispensing via a spout. A drawback of such water dispensing units is that the filtration process is slow and therefore, the volume of filtered water that can be dispensed at any one time is limited by the volume of the storage tank. A further disadvantage of such water dispensing 15 units is that the spout must be arranged at the base of the water dispensing unit to allow effective operation of the gravity feed water filtration process. This arrangement can also be inconvenient for filling glasses and other receptacles, as clearance must be provided beneath the spout to accommodate the receptacle. If the water dispensing unit is located on a flat surface, this can be impractical. 20 These issues can be resolved by providing a pump between the reservoir and the water filter, in order to force the water through the water filter at a faster rate. This allows the filtration process to occur on demand, thereby obviating the need for a storage tank. A further advantage of using a pump, is that an activated carbon water filter can be used instead of a ceramic water filter, which provides improved filtration 25 efficiency. Further, the filtered water can be supplied to a spout located near the top of the water dispensing unit, so that vessels can be easily accommodated below the spout. One such water dispensing unit comprises a removable reservoir with an outlet valve. The outlet valve is connected via internal piping to the inlet of a centrifugal pump. The outlet of the pump is in turn, connected via piping to an activated carbon water filter. 30 Piping also connects the water filter to a spout near the top of the water dispensing unit. The pump and water filter are arranged beneath the reservoir in the water dispensing unit. The outlet valve of the reservoir allows the reservoir to be removed from the water dispensing unit for refilling or to replace the water filter. This water dispensing unit is able to filter water from the reservoir on demand and deliver the filtered water to a spout 3 located near the top of the water dispensing unit. However, a major drawback of this water dispensing unit is that air is able to accumulate in the piping between the removable reservoir and the pump. This causes cavitation in the pump and a subsequent loss of pump pressure. A further drawback is that in order to change the water filter, the reservoir must be removed to provide access the water filter. The present inventors have now developed an improved a water dispensing unit. Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention provides a water filtration and dispensing unit comprising: a housing; a reservoir mounted in the housing, the reservoir being adapted to receive water from an external source, said reservoir having an outlet aperture; a pump mounted to the reservoir, the pump having a pump inlet, a pump outlet and a pump chamber, wherein the pump inlet is mounted at the outlet aperture, so that the pump chamber is in open fluid communication with the reservoir; a water filter mounted to the housing, the water filter having a water filter inlet and a water filter outlet, the water filter inlet being in fluid communication with the pump outlet; and a spout mounted on the housing, the spout being in fluid communication with the water filter outlet; and a cooling tank arranged in fluid communication between the water filter outlet and the spout, the cooling tank having a thermoelectric cooler adapted to cool water in the cooling tank. In a preferred embodiment, the pump is a centrifugal pump having an axis of rotation and the pump is mounted such that the axis of rotation is substantially vertical when the water dispensing unit is arranged in an upright position. Preferably, the pump chamber is formed with an upper surface that is tapered upwardly and inwardly towards the pump inlet. Further preferably, the outlet aperture is provided with cross ribs, the cross ribs extending across the outlet aperture to inhibit the formation of a vortex in the reservoir as water drains into the pump. In such a preferred embodiment, the water dispensing unit further comprises piping connecting the pump to the water filter, the water filter to the cooling tank, the cooling tank to the spout and bypassing the cooling tank from the water filter to the spout, wherein a first solenoid valve is arranged between the cooling tank and the spout and a second 4 solenoid valve is arranged between the water filter and the spout and wherein the solenoids are operable between a first configuration, in which water flow is allowed between the water filter and the spoutand prevented between the cooling tank and the spout, and a second configuration, in which water flow is allowed between the cooling 5 tank and the spout and prevented between the water filter and the spout. In the above preferred embodiment, the water dispensing unit optionally includes an activation tab, arranged inward of the spout and extending below the spout, wherein engaging the activation tab causes operation of the pump and wherein the activation tab houses an LED backlight silicon pad adapted to produce different light signals to 10 indicate different conditions of the water dispensing unit. Preferably, a first light signal is associated with the solenoids being in the first configuration and a second light signal is associated with the solenoids being in the second configuration. Further preferably, the second light signal is only produced if the water in the cooling tank is within a predetermined temperature range and the solenoids are in the second configuration, 15 otherwise, the first light signal is produced. Optionally, the first light signal is a white light and the second light signal is a blue light. Advantageously, a screen can be provided over the outlet aperture to prevent objects in the reservoir from entering the pump. Preferably, the water filter is removable and mounted externally of the housing 20 via a valve arrangement that prevents water escaping from the water dispensing unit when the water filter is removed. Further preferably, a warning light on the housing is activated when the water filter is removed from the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the spout is formed with internal rifling. Preferably, the spout extends downwardly and outwardly at an angle of approximately 40 to 120, 25 more preferably 80 from vertical, when the water dispensing unit is arranged in an upright position. Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or 30 steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of 5 these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia before the priority date of each claim of this specification. In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, a preferred 5 embodiment will be described with reference to the following drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a front view of a water dispenser; Figure 2 is a top view of the water dispenser of Figure 1; 10 Figure 3 is sectional view taken along the line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C of Figure 1. Mode(s) for Carryinq Out the Invention 15 A water dispensing unit 10 is depicted in Figures 1 and 2 and has a housing 12, with a removable lid 14. As best shown in Figure 3, the lid 14 provides access to a reservoir 16 within the housing 12. The reservoir 16 has an outlet aperture 18 formed in its base. The outlet aperture 18 is covered by a screen 20 and contains cross ribs 22. Referring to the cross-sectional Figures 3 to 5, a centrifugal pump 24 having a 20 pump chamber 26, is mounted to the reservoir 16 with the inlet of the pump 24 mounted at the outlet aperture 18 in the reservoir 16. The pump 24 is mounted so that the rotational axis of the pump 24 is vertical, when the water dispensing unit 10 is arranged in an upright position. The pump chamber 26 is formed with a tapering upper surface that tapers upwardly and inwardly towards the inlet of the pump 24. 25 An activated carbon water filter 28 is. mounted to the water dispensing unit 10 externally of the housing 12 and a cooling tank 30 is mounted within the housing 12. A thermostat 32 and a thermoelectric cooler (Peltier device) 34 are mounted in the cooling tank 30. A spout 36 is provided near the top of the water dispensing unit 10 above a 30 receptacle recess 38. An activation tab 40 is mounted in the receptacle recess 38 beneath and behind the spout 36. The activation tab 40 incorporates an LED backlight silicon pad 42 built into the activation tab 40.

6 Piping 44 connects (i) the outlet of the pump 24 to the inlet of the water filter 28, (ii) the outlet of the water filter 28 to the inlet of the cooling tank 30, (iii) the outlet of the cooling tank 30 to the spout 36 and (iv) bypasses the cooling tank 30, connecting the outlet of the water filter 28 to the spout 36. As best shown in Figure 4, a first solenoid 5 valve 48 is arranged in the piping 44 between the cooling tank 30 and the spout 36. A second solenoid valve 50 is arranged in the piping 44 between the water filter 28 and the spout 36. In operation, the water dispensing unit 10 is arranged in an upright position on a counter top or other surface, as depicted in Figure 1. Water in the cooling tank 30 is 10 kept chilled by the thermoelectric cooler (Peltier device) 34, which is controlled by the thermostat 32. A user is able to select whether chilled or room temperature water is to be dispensed using touch sensors or buttons on the front of the water dispensing unit 10. In response to the user's selection, the LED backlight silicon pad 42 is adapted to produce either a white light when room temperature water has been selected or a blue 15 light to indicate that chilled water has been selected and that the water in the cooling tank 30 is chilled to a temperature of 60C (+/- 10C). If chilled water has been selected and the water in the cooling tank is not chilled to a temperature of 60C (+/- 10C), then a white light is produced. The user then presses a glass or other receptacle against the activation tab 40. Pressing the activation tab 40 starts the pump 24, which in turn 20 pumps water from the reservoir 16 through the water filter 28. If the user has selected room temperature water, the first solenoid valve 48 will be closed and the second solenoid valve 50 will be open, forcing the water exiting the water filter 28 to bypass the cooling tank 30 and travel through the second solenoid valve 50 to the spout 36. Alternatively, if the user has selected chilled water, the first solenoid valve 48 will be 25 open and the second solenoid valve 50 will be closed, forcing the water exiting the water filter 28 to enter the cooling tank 30, thereby forcing chilled water to exit the cooling tank 30 and travel through the first solenoid valve 48 to the spout 36. The cross ribs 22 in the outlet aperture 18, which resemble a crosshair when viewed from above, assist in preventing a vortex forming in the reservoir 16 as water 30 drains out of the reservoir 16 into the inlet of the pump 18. Rifling is provided on the inner surface of the spout 36 to provide a more laminar flow of water and the spout 36 is slanted at an angle of approximately 80 to assist in preventing splashback. As the inlet of the pump 24 is mounted at the outlet aperture 18 of the reservoir 16, the pump chamber 26 is in open fluid communication with the reservoir 16. This 35 ensures the pump is always primed and helps to prevent cavitation by eliminating 7 plumbing between the reservoir 16 and the pump 24, where air pockets can accumulate. Further, since the pump 24 is mounted with its axis of rotation vertical, the tapered upper surface of the pump chamber 26 encourages. air bubbles to float upwardly and inwardly towards the outlet aperture 18 and into the reservoir 16. This helps prevent air pockets 5 from building up in the pump chamber 26 and causing cavitation. Additionally, as there is no need for piping and valving between the reservoir 16 and the pump 18, the design of the water dispensing unit 10 is more efficient and compact. This arrangement also allows the water filter 28 to be arranged in a location that is externally accessible, such that the water filter 28 can be removed for replacement 10 from outside the housing 12 of the water dispensing unit 10. This greatly facilitates the operation of changing the water filter 28. A valve/microswitch arrangement may be provided between the main piping 44 and the inlet of the water filter 28 to prevent water escaping from the main piping 44 when the water filter 28 is removed. The microswitch valving arrangement could also be linked to a warning light on the housing 12 to indicate 15 to the user that the water filter 28 has been removed. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and 20 not restrictive.

Claims

1. A water filtration and dispensing unit comprising: a housing; a reservoir mounted in the housing, the reservoir being adapted to receive water from an external source, said reservoir having an outlet aperture; a pump mounted to the reservoir, the pump having a pump inlet, a pump outlet and a pump chamber, wherein the pump inlet is mounted at the outlet aperture, so that the pump chamber is in open fluid communication with the reservoir; a water filter mounted to the housing, the water filter having a water filter inlet and a water filter outlet, the water filter inlet being in fluid communication with the pump outlet; and a spout mounted on the housing, the spout being in fluid communication with the water filter outlet; and a cooling tank arranged in fluid communication between the water filter outlet and the spout, the cooling tank having a thermoelectric cooler adapted to cool water in the cooling tank.

2. The water filtration and dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein the pump is a centrifugal pump.

3. The water filtration and dispensing unit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the pump has an axis of rotation and the pump is mounted such that the axis of rotation is substantially vertical when the water dispensing unit is arranged in an upright position.

4. The water filtration and dispensing unit of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the pump chamber is formed with an upper surface that is tapered upwardly and inwardly towards the pump inlet.

5. The water filtration and dispensing unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet aperture is provided with cross ribs, the cross ribs extending across the outlet aperture to inhibit the formation of a vortex in the reservoir as water drains into the pump.

6. The water filtration and dispensing unit of claim 5, further comprising piping connecting the pump to the water filter, the water filter to the cooling tank, the cooling tank to the spout and bypassing the cooling tank from the water filter to the spout, wherein a first solenoid valve is arranged between the cooling tank and the spout and a second solenoid valve is arranged between the water filter and the spout; and wherein the solenoids are operable between a first configuration, in which water flow is allowed between the water filter and the spout and prevented between the 9 cooling tank and the spout, and a second configuration, in which water flow is allowed between the cooling tank and the spout and prevented between the water filter and the spout.

7. The water filtration and dispensing unit of claim 6, further comprising an activation tab arranged inward of the spout and extending below the spout, wherein pressing on the activation tab causes operation of the pump; and wherein the activation tab houses an LED backlight silicon pad adapted to produce different light signals to indicate different conditions of the water dispensing unit.

8. The water filtration and dispensing unit of claim 7, wherein a first light signal is associated with the solenoids being in the first configuration and a second light signal is associated with the solenoids being in the second configuration.

9. The water filtration and dispensing unit of claim 8, wherein the second light signal is only produced if the water in the cooling tank is within a predetermined temperature range and the solenoids are in the second configuration, otherwise, the first light signal is produced.

10. The water filtration and dispensing unit of claim 8 or 9, wherein the first light signal is a white light and the second light signal is a blue light.

11. The water filtration and dispensing unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a screen is provided over the outlet aperture to prevent objects in the reservoir from entering the pump.

12. The water filtration and dispensing unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water filter is removable and mounted externally of the housing via a valve arrangement that prevents water escaping from the water dispensing unit when the water filter is removed.

13. The water filtration and dispensing unit of claim 12, wherein a warning light on the housing is activated when the water filter is removed from the housing.

14. The water filtration and dispensing unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spout is formed with internal rifling.

15. The water filtration and dispensing unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spout extends downwardly and outwardly at an angle of 40 to 120 from vertical, when the water dispensing unit is arranged in an upright position. 10

16. The water filtration and dispensing unit of claim 15, wherein the spout extends downwardly and outwardly at an angle of approximately 80 from vertical, when the water dispensing unit is arranged in an upright position.

17. A water filtration and dispensing unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.