EP1438263A1

EP1438263A1 - System for water dispenser disinfection by integral heating, corresponding method, device and fountains

Info

Publication number: EP1438263A1
Application number: EP02799422A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Marc c/o Dieau SA RITTER; Eric Dietschi; Eric Fournier; Alexandre Pereira
Original assignee: Dieau SA
Current assignee: Dieau SA
Priority date: 2001-09-27
Filing date: 2002-07-12
Publication date: 2004-07-21
Also published as: WO2003027023A1; MXPA04002897A; RU2346892C2; CN1585726A; FR2830005B1; CA2500184A1; US20060049089A1; FR2830005A1; RU2004112756A; JP2005503264A; BR0212945A

Abstract

The invention concerns a water dispenser (1), for example but not exclusively of the type comprising a removable carboy (2), set on the striking device (and receptacle) (3); said carboy supplies with water the reservoir (4) which opens onto a dispensing tap (6). An evaporator (5) enables optional cooling of the water upstream of the tap (6). The invention consists in enclosing part (sufficient to obtain the desired effect) of the lateral surface of the reservoir (4) with a heating device (7), in particular a hot plate which matches the lateral surface of the reservoir (4). At regular intervals, the plate (7) heats the water of the reservoir (4) to a certain temperature and for sufficient time to destroy the pathogenic bacteria. The method is useful for disinfecting by integral periodic heating the system circulating and dispensing water to any type of fountain, carboy, with direct expansion, or with ice. The disinfection is complete, including at the microcracks, joints and the like and provides total destruction or prevention of biological film.

Description

Water fountain disinfection system with integral heating, process, device and corresponding fountains.

Technical sector of the invention:

The present invention relates to the technical sector of devices of the so-called “water fountain” type and more particularly their disinfection.

We know that water fountains are devices intended to distribute at will fresh and hot water, from a water canister which is replaced when it is exhausted, or when its expiration date intervenes. , or from the drinking water network.

These fountains essentially comprise a water supply system, a water / heating and cooling distribution and cooling system, and various control elements.

Technical problem:

The problem encountered is that of bacterial proliferation, whether harmless or pathogenic. Naturally, the most acute problem is linked to the pathogenic bacterial proliferation, Pseudomonas, E. Coli, Staphylococcus, etc.

Bacterial contamination can occur at many stages of the preparation of the fountain, its loading with water and its use.

The fountain generally comprises, at least for the fountains with carboy, a percussion system of the carboy or bottle, which can be accidentally contaminated with each handling. The lid of the cylinder can itself be contaminated during any manipulation, including during transport and storage, or during the installation of the cylinder.

Finally, the water present in the water distribution circuit of the fountain etc ... gives rise to bacterial growth, called "biofilm", especially in case of prolonged non-use, but also in case of normal use .

Prior art:

Are known (FR 99 13838) devices aiming to heat every day the part of the tubing system adjacent or close to the percussion system of the cylinder, by means in particular of electrical resistances, in order to cause a thermal shock at 90 - 93 ° C, for a sufficient time (a few minutes) capable of destroying the total and pathogenic flora.

With such a system, a noticeable decrease in bacterial growth has already been noted.

We also know systems that have given up disinfection, deemed too difficult, to stick to an alarm system that is triggered after a given time (calculated according to official recommendations) following the percussion of the cylinder. Besides that these systems do not solve the problem of disinfection, but are simply supposed to avoid the occurrence of a dangerous threshold of pathogenic proliferation, they are limited by the vigilance of the personnel.

Such an alarm system is therefore only useful in addition to other measures dealing with the underlying problem.

The fact that such systems exist, and are marketed, shows that the solution of the technical problem posed (that is to say the real disinfection of water fountains) is far from simple, since one is reduced , in most cases, to workarounds such as change of cylinder after a certain period deemed suitable for ensuring good hygiene.

There are also known systems of disposable water distribution “kits” or removable tubs which are replaced or disinfected approximately 4 times a year.

The frequency of disinfection cannot be increased due to economic considerations (cost). However, laboratory reports show that, after only two weeks, the total flora is already large. In addition, contamination with pathogenic bacteria can occur at any time when using the fountain.

It should also be noted that such systems, already insufficient in themselves, in no way eliminate the danger of pathogenic proliferation: indeed, if the striker of the cylinder is contaminated, for example during poor cleaning, it will not be used to nothing to replace the cylinder within a given safety period. In fact, the pathogenic flora will remain at the level of the striker and the beginning of the tubing, and will spread all the more easily when it is believed to have eradicated it.

Disinfection systems are also known which consist of machines supplying hot water, and which are periodically connected to the fountains, in order to disinfect the system for a sufficient time, by circulating hot water at 90-95 ° C. . These machines are very effective, but the disinfection efficiency is naturally dependent on the frequency with which one decides to use them.

There are also known removable systems or "kits" capable of forming a system for receiving the cylinder, which is cleaned or discarded after each use. This system obviously has the drawbacks already mentioned.

This system is therefore still a system capable of treating only a limited and very localized zone, which is the water arrival zone. Finally, attempts have been made to use filters on fountains of the so-called “network” type, but these filters are not really effective and have the property of dechlorinating water, which does not go in the direction of hygiene.

There is therefore an important and recognized need for an effective system for disinfecting apparatus of the water fountain type, which is independent of the quality and seriousness of the maintenance, of the frequency of the maintenance, and which does not depend on the cleanliness of the materials (fabrics, rags, sponges, etc.) used for cleaning, neither the time of presence of the cylinder or generally of water in the tubes, tubs and similar volumes, nor the frequency of disinfection, nor of the cleanliness of the lid of the cylinder which is delivered, and which is effective for any type of fountain, domestic, for use in businesses or in communities, in cylinder or network, and of all capacities.

Summary of the invention:

The invention relates to a device and method called "integral thermal disinfection" characterized in that the water contained in a "water fountain" (of any type, as indicated above) is permanently disinfected by heating, at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, all with a predetermined frequency, all (or almost all, as will be seen below) of the pipes, tubs, taps, seals, fittings, and other elements of the circuit or the water supply, distribution and circulation network of said fountain, located between the percussion system of the cylinder (or the water supply from the network) and the distribution tap.

By “all of the pipes, tanks, taps, seals and other elements” the skilled person will understand that we mean either all the pipes and other elements, or at least as large a part as possible of these pipes and other items, if possible almost all, in any event a fraction large enough to ensure the thermal disinfection function of the water of the invention. We can for example treat a given fraction of this set, and ensure sufficient treatment time so that, by thermal conduction, the untreated areas are nevertheless brought to the treatment temperature. The treatment temperature and / or the frequency of treatment can also be varied. Those skilled in the art will be able to adapt these parameters, it being understood that the bacterial proliferation curves, and the optimal conditions for the destruction of pathogenic bacteria, have been well known for many decades.

It is recalled that a water fountain is essentially composed of a water inlet zone (in the case of a cylinder fountain, this zone is mainly composed

- A receptacle of the carboy, comprising a means of "percussion" of the carboy, that is to say of vertical positioning of the carboy and of perforation of its cover, and of the beginning of the tubing; in the case of a fountain - network, these are the means of connecting the fountain to the drinking water supply network and also the start of the tubing)

of a water circulation / distribution tank or pipes from the receptacle to the water distribution tap (s) for the user

possible means of refrigerating at least a portion of the pipes, in particular in the case where the fountain has two circuits, one for delivering water at normal or temperate temperature, and the other for delivering water cooled or hot, with seals, fittings and other parts corresponding to the two circuits and to their order,

a heating device for the distribution of hot water,

- possibly means of control. As we have seen, some fountains also include localized heating means or means of connection with hot water disinfection machines.

Detailed description of the invention:

The invention therefore relates to a device and method for thermal disinfection of drinking water from a water fountain, integrated into said fountain, and characterized in that it is continuously disinfected, by actions carried out at preprogrammed time intervals, the water contained in the supply or distribution system or circuit of a "water fountain" (of any type, as indicated above) by heating, to a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, all with a predetermined frequency, the entirety of said system or circuit and therefore of the water contained in all the pipes (and / or tanks, tanks, and other elements of the system or circuit in contact with water) of said fountain, located between the cylinder percussion system (or the mains water supply) and the distribution tap.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the characteristics of the "process" and the "device" will not be duplicated unnecessarily and that the description (or claim) of one will be worth description (or claim) of the other. Thus, the description and the claim of a method comprising a step X will also be valid for the description and the claim of the device comprising means for implementing said step X, if these means are well known or have been described or claimed in relation with the process.

In the prior art, therefore, consideration has essentially been given to locally heating the water inlet area or certain limited areas. Consideration has also been given to periodically disinfecting the entire system by circulating very hot water. We never thought of heating all the tubing of a fountain.

Either the industry considered accommodated the results, even partial, obtained, or the industry considered that too many obstacles techniques were opposed to the successful heating of all the pipes, with too much risk of failure.

There are indeed many technical obstacles, which form as many problems to be solved.

On the one hand, the tubes, or the receptacle, possibly the incorporated container (s), or the “kits” described above, or even the distribution valve (s), include seals, fittings, roughness, end pieces, interstices and the like, which form as many potential nests where bacteria can cling to and then proliferate, and where it is difficult to dislodge or destroy them.

On the other hand, the water which circulates in the tubes gives irreparably, even in the best known systems, birth to a "biofilm" which forms on the walls and is made up of colonies of non-pathogenic bacteria. This biofilm comes in the form of a transparent and sticky film which, on the one hand, is not pleasant and which, on the other hand, forms an ideal culture medium for pathogenic bacteria. Such a biofilm therefore represents a potential permanent danger, which promotes the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria as soon as these are present for a sufficiently long time.

None of the previous systems is capable, nor indeed has endeavored to destroy this biofilm or to prevent its formation. However, its elimination represents a capital hygiene factor.

The invention solves all the problems which have just been described, including the prevention or destruction of the biofilm (or prevention of its formation), disinfection of all interstices, fittings, elbows, etc. and even cracks and microcracks which inevitably appear in the metal, even on a so-called “smooth” tubing: such microcracks constitute as many nests for bacteria impossible to disinfect effectively with known systems, and all the more pernicious as they are invisible to the attendant periodic cleaning. The invention relates in particular to a device and method for thermal disinfection of the water of a water fountain, integrated into said fountain, characterized in that one disinfects thermally, permanently, that is to say by specific thermal actions but at preprogrammed intervals, preferably regular, the water contained in a “water fountain” (of any type, as indicated above) by heating, to a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, all with a predetermined frequency, and all (that is to say all of these parameters) being adapted to obtain the desired thermal disinfection effect, the metal and / or alloy constituting the set of pipes of said fountain, located between the percussion system of the cylinder (or the water supply from the network) and the distribution tap, and / or directly the water contained in all the pipes.

According to a preferred, nonlimiting embodiment, the pipes are heated by insertion into the water supply (and distribution) pipes of said circuit, over the entire length thereof, or substantially their entire length. , of a tube called "current flow", that is to say of a metal tube heated by the Joule effect by the passage of an electric current capable of bringing the temperature of the water to the desired value under the desired operating conditions, and suitable for obtaining the desired thermal disinfection.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is the pipes themselves which are constituted by such a "current flow tube". This solution has decisive advantages because it radically eliminates all risk.

A non-limiting example of supplying such a current-passing tube, which is of known type, is of the order of 1000 A at a low voltage of approximately 3 V.

It is also possible to use a current flow tube for the pipes and another heating method, for example a sheath comprising an electrical resistance, for the other elements such as tanks, taps, valves and the like. g

According to another preferred, non-limiting embodiment, the metal or alloy of the pipes is heated by adjoining the pipe, over its entire length, a heating resistor capable of indirectly bringing the temperature of the water to the desired value under the desired operating conditions and suitable for obtaining the desired thermal disinfection.

By "at the desired value under the desired operating conditions" and "and adapted to obtain the desired thermal disinfection" the skilled person will understand that the desired or adapted value is of the order of 90 - 95 ° C and that the desired or adapted conditions are those which correspond to a time and a frequency of treatment which are both sufficient to break down the proliferation of bacteria, destroy pathogenic bacteria and preferably prevent the formation of biofilm, while remaining economically satisfactory.

The invention therefore provides self-disinfection by periodic integral heating of all the tubes (and / or tanks, etc.) at a disinfection temperature. This heating is made possible by the low thermal inertia of the materials used for the design of all the pipes and tubs, etc., provided of course that these elements are made of a thermally conductive material, such as quality stainless steel. well-known food and metals or similar alloys.

The invention makes it possible for the first time to produce water whose sanitary quality is permanently identical to the quality of the water contained in the delivered bottle. Supposing that the water in the bottle is accidentally infected before delivery, the system according to the invention would be capable of destroying the pathogenic flora.

Furthermore, by thermal conduction, the percussion or water inlet system, as well as the tap or taps, are also disinfected by the method according to the invention. The treatment according to the invention will for example be carried out by a rise to 90 - 95 ° C for approximately 10 to 20 mins, preferably around 10 mins, every 24 hours, preferably every night.

Essentially, the invention therefore covers the following aspects:

- Method for thermal disinfection of drinking water from a water fountain, comprising a water distribution system or circuit comprising a water supply point, a distribution system or circuit comprising pipes, tubs, taps, and the like, and a distribution valve, characterized in that

the water contained in said system or distribution circuit of said fountain is permanently disinfected by heating, to a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, all with a predetermined frequency, suitable for operating said disinfection,

- the entirety of said system or circuit and therefore of the water contained in the assembly of said system or circuit in contact with water,

located between the water supply point (cylinder percussion system or network water supply) and the distribution tap.

- Device for thermal disinfection of drinking water from a water fountain, integrated into said fountain comprising a water distribution system or circuit comprising a water supply point, a distribution system or circuit comprising pipes, tanks, taps, and the like, and a dispensing tap, characterized in that

it includes heating means, at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, all with a predetermined frequency, adapted to operate said disinfection, of the whole of said system or circuit and therefore of the water contained in the whole of said system or circuit in contact with water,

water fountains characterized in that they implement a method according to the invention or include a device according to the invention.

- the pairs (or combinations) of water tubing 13 and heating device 14 for thermal disinfection, applicable to devices according to the invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, and with reference to the appended drawing in which:

FIG. 1 represents a mode of implementation of the invention on a so-called “bottle” fountain;

FIG. 2 represents an embodiment of the invention on a fountain supplied by the network, called "direct expansion";

- Figure 3 shows a possible embodiment of a combination of water tubing and adjoining heating tube;

FIG. 4 represents an embodiment of the invention on a so-called “fountain with ice bank”.

In the appended figures, the same references have the same meanings. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, and nonlimiting examples below.

FIG. 1 represents a water fountain 1 of the reservoir type, comprising a removable carboy 2, placed on the percussion device (and receptacle) 3; this cylinder supplies water to the reservoir 4 which opens onto a distribution tap 6. An evaporator 5 allows the possible cooling of the water before the tap 6. The invention consists in surrounding a part (sufficient to obtain the desired effect) of the lateral surface of the reservoir 4 by a heating device 7, in particular a heating plate which marries the lateral surface of the reservoir 4. At regular intervals, the plate 7 heats the water of the reservoir 4 to a temperature and for a time sufficient to that pathogenic bacteria are destroyed.

It is also possible to provide around the percussion device 3 of the cylinder a known auxiliary heating / disinfection device.

It is also possible to provide that the heating device 7 is extended to the level of the percussion device 3 in order to disinfect it at the same time as the water contained in the tank 4.

It is also possible to provide for the percussion device 3 to have thermal extensions or connections, made of heat conducting material, which plunge into the water of the tank 4: thus, during the disinfection of the water of the tank 4, the device percussion will also be disinfected by the effect of thermal conduction from the body of water. It will simply provide a time for heating the water in the reservoir 4 sufficient for thermal conduction to be established and for the disinfection of the percussion device to be effective.

It is understood that, if necessary, the reservoir 4 can be replaced by a tubing in the form of a coil, to which would be attached a heating element for disinfection and possibly a cooling element. Such a system is shown in Figure 2. FIG. 2 represents a water fountain supplied by the drinking water supply network, and called direct expansion. Drinking water arrives at E and circulates in tubes 13, generally wound in a coil. A refrigerant F arrives at 10 and circulates in a tube adjoining the tube 13, in order to produce fresh water. A heating device 14 for disinfection according to the invention is attached to the water tubing 13. As can be seen, this device 14, quite preferably, is attached to the water tubing over its entire length, and up to tap 6. However, according to a variant, the heating device 14 for disinfection can disinfect both ends only by thermal convection.

Figure 3 shows a non-limiting embodiment of a pair of water tubing 13 and heating device 14 for disinfection according to the invention. We see the water tubing 13 and heating device 14 for disinfection are joined thermally in a heat conductive sheath 15. The sheath 15 has a shape such that it can accommodate the cooling tube 12 on the wall near the water tube 13.

FIG. 4 represents the implementation of the invention in a water fountain of the “with ice bank” type. In this type of fountain, the water is refrigerated by a secondary cooling circuit 40, supplied by an evaporator 20 which forms a block of ice 30 around its exchanger tubes. The refrigerant is sent by a pump P to an enclosure 50 where there is a drinking water tube 13 attached to a disinfection device 14 according to the invention, for example a sheath device as shown in Figure 3. The drinking water arrives at E, either from the network or from a cylinder, and is supplied by a tap 6.

The materials will be adapted, as will easily be understood by those skilled in the art, both to ensure good thermal conductivity and to resist the disinfection temperature.

A warning light and possibly an audible alarm such as a buzzer or "buzzer" may, as a precaution, be activated when the disinfection device is working, in order to avoid any risk of burns. either by water or by a part of the fountain. Such an alarm system can, for example, be triggered by the programmed start-up of the disinfection device according to the invention, and disconnect when the temperature has returned to a harmless temperature. It can also be triggered and stopped by a thermostat.

The system of the invention is preferably programmed by a memory and a clock, and any suitable electrical, mechanical means. As mentioned above, the device is programmed to operate at a time of non-use, especially at night.

All these systems have been known for decades in very many industries, notably household appliances, and will not be described here.

The invention also covers all the embodiments and all the applications which will be directly accessible to those skilled in the art on reading the present application, their own knowledge, and possibly simple routine tests.

Claims

1 Method for thermal disinfection of drinking water from a water fountain, comprising a water distribution system or circuit comprising a water supply point, a distribution system or circuit comprising pipes, tubs, taps, and the like, and a distribution valve, characterized in that

the water contained in said system or circuit for distributing said fountain is permanently disinfected by heating, the whole of said system or circuit and therefore water contained in the whole of said system or circuit in contact with water, located between the water supply point (percussion system of the cylinder or water supply from the network) and the distribution tap, the heating being carried out at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, all with a predetermined frequency , adapted to operate said disinfection,

2 Method according to claim 1 characterized in that one carries out a heating of the pipes by insertion into the pipes for supplying (and distributing) water from said circuit, over the entire length thereof, or substantially all their length, of a tube called "current flow", that is to say a metal tube heated by Joule effect by the passage of an electric current capable of bringing the temperature of the water to the desired value under the desired operating conditions, the tubes themselves preferably being constituted by such a "current flow tube", and possibly in that a current flow tube is used for the tubes and another mode of heating, for example a sheath comprising an electrical resistance, for the other elements such as tanks, taps, valves and the like.

3 Method according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the supply of such a current flow tube is of the order of 1000A at a low voltage of about 3 V. 4 Method according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that one carries out the heating of the metal or alloy of the pipes by attaching to the pipe, over its entire length, a heating resistor capable of indirectly bringing the temperature of the water at the desired value under the desired operating conditions.

5 Method according to any one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that said desired value is of the order of 90 - 95 ° C and said desired conditions are those which correspond to a time and a frequency of treatment adapted to be both sufficient to break down bacterial proliferation, and destroy pathogenic bacteria.

6 Method according to claim 5 characterized in that said value and conditions are adapted to prevent the formation of the biofilm or destroy it.

7 A method according to any one of claims 2 to 5 characterized in that in that one treats not only the pipes but also the other elements of said water distribution circuit, such as tanks, taps, seals, fittings.

8 Device for thermal disinfection of the drinking water of a water fountain, integrated into said fountain comprising a water distribution system or circuit comprising a water supply point, a distribution system or circuit comprising pipes, tanks, taps, and the like, and a dispensing tap, characterized in that

it includes heating means, at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, all with a predetermined frequency, adapted to operate said disinfection,

of the whole of said system or circuit and therefore of the water contained in the whole of said system or circuit in contact with water,

located between the water supply point (percussion system of your cylinder or water supply from the network) and the distribution tap. 9 Device according to claim 8 characterized in that it comprises a means for heating the pipes by insertion into the pipes for supplying (and distributing) water from said circuit, over the entire length thereof, or substantially all their length, of a tube called "current flow", that is to say a metal tube heated by Joule effect by the passage of an electric current capable of bringing the temperature of the water to the desired value under the desired operating conditions, adapted to operate said disinfection.

10 Device according to claim 8 or 9 characterized in that the supply of such a current flow tube is of the order of 1000A at a low voltage of about 3 V.

1 1 Device according to claim 8 or 9 characterized in that it comprises means for heating the metal or alloy of the pipes by adjoining the pipe, over its entire length, a heating resistor capable of indirectly carrying the temperature of water at the desired value under the desired operating conditions, adapted to operate said disinfection.

12 Device according to any one of claims 8 to 1 1 characterized in that said desired value is of the order of 90 - 95 ° C and said desired conditions are those which correspond to a time and a frequency of treatment suitable for be both sufficient to break down bacterial growth and destroy pathogenic bacteria.

13 Device according to claim 12 characterized in that said value and conditions are adapted to prevent the formation of biofilm.

14 Device according to any one of claims 8 to 13 characterized in that it comprises heating means not only the pipes but also the other elements of said water distribution circuit, as tanks, and taps.

15 Devices according to any one of claims 8 to 14 characterized in that the whole of said water distribution system, pipes, tubs, taps, percussion device for the bottle, are made of materials with low thermal inertia, thermally conductive, such as food grade stainless steel and metals or similar alloys.

16 Devices according to any one of claims 8 to 15 characterized in that they comprise a combination of water pipes and adjoining heating tube.

17 Devices according to any one of claims 8 to 16 characterized in that they include means for carrying out said treatment by a rise to 90 - 95 ° C for about 10 to 20 mins, preferably around 10 mins, each night .

18 Water fountains characterized in that they implement a method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or include a device according to any one of claims 8 to 17.

19 Water fountains according to claim 18, characterized in that they are:

the so-called “bonbon” fountain;

fountain supplied by the network, called "direct expansion";

fountain known as "with ice bank".

20 Water fountain according to claim 18 or 19 which consists of a water fountain 1 of the reservoir or canister type, comprising a removable carboy 2, placed on the percussion device (and receptacle) 3; which supplies water to the reservoir 4 which opens onto a distribution tap 6; an evaporator 5 allowing the possible cooling of the water before the tap 6 characterized in that a part (sufficient to obtain the desired thermal disinfection effect) of the lateral surface of the tank 4 is surrounded by a heating device 7, in particular a hot plate which conforms to the lateral surface of the reservoir 4, and includes control means adapted so that, at regular intervals, the plate 7 heats the water in the reservoir 4 to a temperature and for a time sufficient for the pathogenic bacteria to be destroyed, in particular 90 - 95 ° C for 10 to 20 minutes during each 24 h period.

21 Fountain according to claim 20 characterized in that there is further provided around the device 3 for percussion of the cylinder an additional heating / disinfection device.

22 Fountain according to claim 20 or 21 characterized in that the heating device 7 extends to the level of the percussion device 3 in order to disinfect it at the same time as the water contained in the tank 4.

23 Fountain according to any one of claims 20 to 22 characterized in that the percussion device 3 comprises extensions or thermal connections, of heat conducting material, which plunge into the water of the tank 4 so that, during the disinfection of the water in tank 4, the percussion device is also disinfected by the effect of thermal conduction from the body of water.

24 Fountain according to any one of claims 20 to 23 characterized in that the tank 4 is replaced by a tubing in the form of a coil, to which would be attached a heating element for disinfection and possibly a cooling element.

25 Water fountain according to claim 18 or 19, of the fountain type supplied by the drinking water supply network, and called "direct expansion", the drinking water arriving at E and circulating in pipes 13, generally wound in coil, and a refrigerant F arriving at 10 and circulating in a tube attached to the tube 13, in order to produce fresh water, characterized in that it comprises a heating device 14 for thermal disinfection attached to the water tube 13 , said device 14 being attached to the water tubing over its entire length, and up to tap 6. 26 Pair of water tubing 13 and heating device 14 for thermal disinfection, applicable to devices according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises a water tubing 13 and a heating device 14 for disinfection, thermally united in a conductive sheath heat 15, which has a shape such that it can accommodate the cooling tube 12 on the wall close to the water tube 13.

27 Fountain according to claim 18 or 19, of the “with ice bank” type, the water being cooled by a secondary cooling circuit 40, supplied by an evaporator 20 which forms a block of ice 30 around its tubes exchangers, the refrigerant being sent by a pump P to an enclosure 50 where there is a drinking water tube 13, characterized in that said tube 13 is attached to a thermal disinfection device 14.

28 Fountain according to claim 27 characterized in that said disinfection device forms a couple according to claim 26.

29 Fountain according to any one of claims 20 to 27 characterized in that an indicator light and possibly an audible alarm such as a vibrator or "buzzer" is activated when the disinfection device is operating, in order to avoid any risk of burns either by water or by a part of the fountain.

30 Fountain according to any one of claims 20 to 29 characterized in that the method and the thermal disinfection device, and said alarm system, are programmed by a memory and a clock, and electrical, mechanical means, suitable for enter into function at a given time and according to a given frequency, and set the temperature to a given value during a given time.