CA2310397A1

CA2310397A1 - Computer controlled water dispenser

Info

Publication number: CA2310397A1
Application number: CA002310397A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Norman John Connor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-30
Filing date: 2000-05-30
Publication date: 2001-11-30

Abstract

An automated water dispensing apparatus is disclosed which consists of a water purification unit for purifying municipal water, a storage tank for storing the water which has been purified by the water purification unit and a sterilizer for sterilizing the purified water from the tank. The purification unit, sterilizer and water tank are all contained within a housing which has a filling station for filling a water receptacle with the sterilized water. The filling station has a filling spout for delivering the sterilized water into the water receptacle and a fill control valve for controlling the flow of water to the filling spout. The filling station also has a flow meter coupled to the filling spout for generating a signal proportional to the amount of water supplied through the filling spout. The system also includes a pump for delivering the purified water from the storage tank to the sterilizer and the filling station. The apparatus also consists of a card reader device for reading identification information from a card which is presented to the card reader. The card reader, flow meter and fill control valve are operatively coupled to a computer control unit. The computer control unit is also operatively coupled to a computer memory unit and a telecommunications interface. The computer control unit is configured to receive purchasing data for a plurality of purchasers from a remote computer via a telecommunications network which is operatively coupled to the telecommunications interface. The computer control unit is configured to store the purchasing data in the computer memory unit and is further configured to operate the fill control valve depending on the purchasing data stored in the computer memory unit and the identification data read from the card reader. The computer control unit is configured to read the flow meter signal to calculate the amount of water passing through the fill spout and to close the fill control valve depending on the purchasing data stored in the computer memory. Finally, the computer control unit is configured to amend the purchasing data stored in the computer memory to reflect the amount of water which is passed through the fill spout for each purchaser.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The invention relates generally to automatic computer controlled water dispensers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Automatic machines for dispensing purified water are well known in the art.
Generally these machines consist of a large housing which have one or more filling stations where a purchaser can refill a water receptacle with purified water. These machines generally have a shelf located beneath a filling spout where the purchaser can replace a water receptacle and press a button to release water from to refill the water receptacle. These vending machines are generally coin operated requiring the user to purchase purified water by inserting several coins into the machine. Several water dispensing machines also have compact water purification units which are capable of purifying municipal water. These machines are generally hooked up to a municipal water source and a power line, so that the unit can independently supply purified water to purchasers.
Prior water dispensing systems have generally required the user to provide his or her own water receptacle. Purchasers generally have a specialized water receptacle which is designed to be refilled repeatedly with purified water. Of course, as the receptacles are used over and over again, dirt, dust and bacteria can contaminate both the outside and inside of these containers so that when these vessels are refilled with water, the water will likewise be contaminated.
Furthermore, since the filling stations of previous refilling machines tend to be exposed to the general public, they tend to become contaminated with dirt, dust and bacteria.
Also coin operated vending machines must be serviced periodically to remove the coins accumulated over a number of purchases. This requires an attendant to visit each machine to remove the coins.
Over the years, magnetic strip purchasing cards have been applied to water dispensing machines. These water dispensing machines require a purchaser to swipe a vending card through a card reader coupled to the vending machine. The card contains information regarding the number of refills available. After swiping the vending card, the user operates the machine to dispense the desired amount of water and the machine updates the vending card accordingly.
When the purchaser has used up all of the refills on the vending card, he or she requires an additional card. As a result, the purchaser must periodically obtain new vending cards which may be inconvenient. These drawbacks are one reason why, despite the growing demand for battled water, automated water refilling machines have not been as commercially successfial as they could be. There continues to be a need for an automated water vending machine which is automatic, self sufl'lcient, easy to use and easy to maintain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an automated water dispensing apparatus which consists of a water purification unit for purifying municipal water, a storage tank for storing the water which has been purified by the water purification unit and a sterilizer for sterilizing the purified water from the tank. The purification, sterilizer and water tank are all contained within a housing which has a filling station for filling a water receptacle with the sterilized water. The filling station has a filling spout for delivering the sterilized water into the water receptacle and a fill control valve for controlling the flow of water to the filling spout. The filling station also has a flow meter coupled to the filling spout for generating a signal proportional to the amount of water supplied through the filling spout. The .
system also includes a pump for delivering the purified water from the storage tank to the sterilizer and the filling station. The apparatus also consists of a card reader device for reading identification information from an identification card. The card reader, flow meter and fill control S valve are operatively coupled to a computer control unit. The computer control unit is operatively coupled to a computer memory unit and a telecommunications interface and is configured to receive purchasing data for a plurality of purchasers from a remote computer via a telecommunications network. The computer control unit is configured to store the purchasing data in the computer memory unit and is further configured to operate the fill control valve depending on the purchasing data stored in the computer memory unit and the identification data read from the card reader. The computer control unit is configured to read the flow meter signal to calculate the amount of water passing through the fill spout and to close the fill control valve depending on the purchasing data stored in the computer memory. Finally, the computer control unit is configured to amend the purchasing data stored in the computer memory to reflect the amount of water which has passed through the fill spout for each purchaser.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
A preferred embodiment of this invention, illustrating all of its features, will now be discussed in detail. This embodiment depicts the novel and non-obvious methods and apparatus of this invention shown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only.
This drawing includes the following figures, with like numerals indicating like parts:
FIGURE 1. Is a perspective view of the water dispensing apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 2. Is a schematic view of the water purification and sterilizing unit of the present invention.
FIGURE 3. Is a schematic representation of a computer controlled rinse station.
FIGURE 4. Is a schematic representation of the computer controlled water filling station for use with large volume water receptacles.
FIGURE 5. Is a schematic representation of the water refilling station for use with smaller volume water receptacles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
Referring firstly to figure 1, the refilling station shown generally as item 10 consists of booth 12 having door 14 mounted to a frame 15, a water filling station 20 positioned adjacent and underneath a water dispenser 22, and a rinse station 24 having rinse basin 26.
Frame 15 is provided with an automatic lock (not shown) which is released to permit door 14 to open when card reader 16 is activated. Housing 18 contained within booth 12 houses water purification and sterilization units (not shown) as well as a computer control mechanism.
Referring now to figure 2, the water purification unit, shown generally as item 28, consists of a water pre-filter 34 coupled to municipal water line 30. Pre-filtration unit 34 filters the municipal water coming from water line 30 and channels the water to ion exchange unit 36. Ion exchange unit 36 further purifies the water by removing various ions such as heavy metal ions and other ionic contaminants. Ion exchange unit 36 channels the treated water to reverse osmoses unit 38 which fi~rther purifies the water via a reverse osmoses system. Pre-filtration unit 34, ion exchange unit 36 and reverse osmoses unit 38 together greatly improve the water quality so that the water leaving water purification unit 32 has less than 4 ppm (parts per million) of calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, sulfi~r, hydrogen sulfide, chlorides, sulfates, chemicals and metals.
The purified water is then channeled via water channel 39 into storage tank 40 which stores the purified water under atmospheric pressure.
The purified water from storage tank 40 is channeled through conduit 41 to water pressurization pump 42 which pressurizes the water and sends it through conduit 43. Pressurized water 43 passes through a water sterilization unit 44 which preferably consists of an ultra violet water sterilizing unit. Water sterilizer 44 channels the sterilized water to conduit 46 which channels the treated water to the filling and rinse stations.
Referring now to figure 3, water from conduit 46 passes into conduit 50 through divider 48 and makes its way to sterilizing rinse station 24. Rinse station 24 consists of a water rinsing unit 60 mounted to housing 18. Rinse unit 60 consists of a jet nozzle 64 which is coupled to water hose 61 and a rinse basin 62 for receiving and draining away the excess rinse water.
Preferably jet nozzle 64 is vertically oriented to spray rinsing water vertically upward into water receptacle 66. Nozzle 64 is configured to fit within receptacle opening 68 when bottle 66 is inverted upside down with neck 68 pointing downwards. The rinse water coming from nozzle 64 is sprayed into receptacle 66 to sterilize the inside of the rinse bottle with the excess rinse water draining into basin 62. The rinse water is supplied from conduit 50. An additional sterilizing agent is injected into the water via injector 52. Preferably injector 52 is supplied with ozone gas from ozone generator 54 which carries the ozone gas to injector 54 via gas line 56. The sterilizer laden water is introduced into conduit 61 by operation of electric valve 58.
Which is controlled by computer control module 71. Computer control module 71 consists of controller 84 and a relay logic and PLC module 70. Suitable CPU's and relay control modules are generally available in the marketplace. The relay logic and PLC module is operatively coupled to a button 68 which can be pressed by a user to start the rinse sequence. When a user presses button 68 a signal is sent to relay logic and PLC module 70 which in turns sends a signal via cable 72 to output unit 74 which then sends a corresponding electrical signal via cable 76 to open electric valve 58 thereby releasing the sterilizing water.
Refernng now to figure 4, filling station shown generally as item 20, consists of a water filling spout 98 which is coupled to an automatic filling valve 96 which is in turn coupled to a water conduit 94. Water conduit 94 is coupled to purified water supply 46 via a digital flow sensor 92. Electric valve 96 is controlled by computer control unit 71 which in turn is operatively coupled to telecommunications network 88 via telecommunications interface 87.
Computer control unit 71 is further coupled to card reader 90 via cable 93. Computer controller 84 has computer memory 85 which is supplied with purchaser information via a remote computer (not shown) via communication network 88. When a purchaser presents vending card 80 to card reader 90, card reader 90 reads the purchaser information contained on card 80. Controller 84 then compares the information stored on card 80 with the purchasing information stored in memory 85 to determine if the holder of card 80 is listed in the purchasing information. If the purchaser is listed, then computer control unit 71 sends a digital signal via cable 72, output 74 and cable 100 to open valve 96 thereby permitting water to flow from spout 98 and into container 66.
As water flows through spout 98, digital flow sensor 92 measures the volume of the water flowing through spout 98 and sends a electronic signal to computer control unit 71 via cable 102.
When control unit 71 senses that flow meter 92 has measured a specific volume of water corresponding to the purchaser information for that particular purchaser as stored in memory unit 85, computer control unit 71 sends an electronic signal to fill valve 96 closing the valve.
Computer control unit 71 then updates the information contained in computer memory 85 to reflect the purchase.
Fill valve 96 is preferably a two stage valve capable of a first fill rate of 7 gallons per minute (GPM) and a lower second fill rate of 2 GPM. When computer control unit 71 first opens fill valve 96 to fill container 66, it sets the fill valve to fill the container at the first fill rate of 7 GPM to quickly fill the container. When digital flow sensor 92 communicates to control unit 71 that a predetermined volume has passed through fill valve 96, then the control unit sends a signal to the fill valve setting the valve at its second fill rate of 2 GPM. The lower fill rate permits dissolved air to settle out of solution while container 66 is being topped up, thereby reducing the chance of spillage. This two step fill rate permits container 66 to be filled rapidly without overflowing.
Referring now to figure 5, if the purchaser presents a smaller water receptacle 104, then the purchaser must swing pivoting shelve 108 upwards into its filling position. The moment filling shelve 108 is in its filling position, an electrical contact 110 is closed which in turn sends a electronic signal to computer control unit 71 via cable 112 indicating to the computer control unit that the user wishes to fill a smaller container. Computer control unit 71 then operates fill valve 96 to fill container 104. As container 104 is filled, digital flow meter 92 sends a signal to computer control unit 71 until the computer control unit closes off fill valve 96. Computer control unit 71, by sensing that shelve 108 is in its fill position will shut off fill valve 96 when a lower volume of water has passed through spout 98. Again, computer control unit 71 amends the purchasing information in computer memory 85 to reflect the purchase.
Referring back to figure 3, when a purchase wishes to gain entrance into the water vending booth, the purchaser presents a vending card 80 to card reader 16.
Computer control unit 71 is operatively coupled to card reader 16 via cable 86. When the user presents card 80 to card reader 16, computer control unit 71 reads the information identifying the purchaser which is stored on computer card 80. If the information contained in card 80 corresponds to the purchasing information as stored in computer memory 85, then computer control unit 71 sends an electronic signal through cable 84 to an electric door lock 82 permitting the door lock to unlock door 14 thereby permitting the user to gain access into the booth.
Since the water filing and container sterilization stations are both contained in a enclosed booth, then the stations remain more hygienic and clean. Furthermore since only specified purchasers can gain access into the booth, and since the general public is excluded, the rinsing and filling stations remain cleaner and more hygienic. Furthermore, since the purchaser has a sterilizing rinse station to rinse out and sterilize his water container, there is less likelihood of contamination. Finally, since purchasing information concerning a plurality of different purchasers can be down loaded into the vending unit, purchasers do not have to periodically refill their identification cards. Indeed the identification cards maybe read only since they only contain information identifying the user and not identifying the quantity of purchases. It is very simply to update the purchasing information from a remote computer since the computer controlled vending machine is operatively coupled to a telecommunications network. Hence, the purchasing information can be periodically adjusted and updated from time to time, for example on a monthly basis, to reflect additional purchasers and additional quantities for each purchaser. Since the purchasing information is not stored the user cards, users can easily update their purchasing information by telephone or even by the world wide web.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity with reference to the drawings, obvious modifications and variations are possible S in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention maybe practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. An automated water dispensing apparatus comprising:
~ a water purification unit for purifying municipal water, ~ a storage tank for storing water which has been purified by the water purification unit, ~ a sterilizer for sterilizing the purified water from the tank, ~ a housing having a filling station for filling a water receptacle with the sterilized water, ~ the filling station having a filling spout for delivering the sterilized water into the water receptacle, a fill control valve for controlling the flow of water to the filling spout and a flow meter for generating a signal proportional to the amount of water supplied through the filling spout, ~ a pump for delivering the purified water from the storage tank to the sterilizer and the filling station, ~ a card identifier in which identification data necessary for identifying a purchaser is stored, ~ a card reader device for reading the identification data on the card identifier, ~ a CPU operatively coupled to a computer memory unit and a telecommunications interface, the CPU configures to receive purchasing data for a plurality of purchasers from a remote computer via a telecommunications network operatively coupled to the telecommunications interface, the CPU configured to store the purchasing data in the computer memory unit, the CPU operatively coupled to the card reader, flow meter and fill control valve for opening the fill control valve depending on the purchasing data stored in the computer memory unit and the identification data read from the card reader, the CPU further configured to read the flow meter signal to calculate the amount of water passing through the fill spout and to close the fill control valve depending on the purchasing data stored in the computer memory, the CPU further configured to amend the purchasing data stored in the computer memory to reflect the amount of water which has passed through the fill spout for each purchaser.

2. An automated water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a rinse station for rinsing the receptacle with sterilized water prior to filling, the rinse station having a rinse nozzle for delivering sterilized water into the water receptacle, a rinse control valve for controlling the flow of water to the rinse nozzle and a basin for receiving the water after it has been used to rinse the receptacle, the rinse station being supplied with sterilized water from the pump.

3. An automated water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising a sterilizer injector for injecting a sterilizing agent into the water flowing into the rinse nozzle.

4. An automated water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the sterilizer injector is an ozone gas generator and the sterilizing agent is ozone gas.

5. An automated water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the receptacle has a neck and the rinse basin is adapted to receive the receptacle with the neck of the receptacle pointed downward into the basin, the rinse nozzle being adapted to spray the water upwards into the receptacle.

6. An automated water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the housing forms a booth for containing the water dispensing station, the booth having a door, an automatic door lock for locking and unlocking the door and a second card reader mounted outside of the booth for reading the identification data on the identification card, the second card reader and automatic door lock operatively coupled to the CPU, the CPU
configured to operate the automatic door lock to unlock the door depending on the purchasing data stored in the computer memory and the identification data read from the second card reader.

7. An automated water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the fill control valve is adapted to deliver water at a first flow rate and a second flow rate, the second flow rate being lower than the first flow rate, and wherein the CPU is adapted to select the flow rate of the fill control valve.

8. An automated water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the CPU is adapted to select the first flow rate to fill the receptacle to a first predetermined volume and then select the second flow rate until the receptacle is filled to a second predetermined volume.

9. An automated water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the CPU is configured to control the fill control valve to fill both a smaller volume receptacle and a larger volume receptacle.

10. An automated water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 9 further comprising a filling shelf pivotally mounted to the housing adjacent the filling spout, the shelf pivotally movable between a first position wherein the shelf is positioned to support the smaller water receptacle below the filling spout, and a second position wherein the larger receptacle may be positioned below the filling spout.

11. An automated water dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 10 further comprising a position sensor for sensing the position of the filling shelf, the position sensor being operatively coupled to the CPU, the CPU being adapted to control the filling valve to fill the receptacle depending on the position of the filling shelf.