INSTANT HOT WATER DISPENSER

Abstract: An instant hot water dispenser comprises a storage tank (39) for containing a reservoir of hot water, heating means (42) for maintaining the hot water at a predetermined temperature, a selectively operable discharge means (44) associated with the tank (39) having an outlet (22d) for connection with a remote discharge nozzle (11). The discharge means (44) when operated is arranged to feed water from the reservoir through said outlet (22d) to the discharge nozzle (11), the dispenser being arranged to permit water to drain from the discharge nozzle (11) into the reservoir when the discharge means (44) is not operated. The discharge means (44) is located relative to the tank (39) such that water contained within the discharge means (44) when not operated is maintained at said predetermined temperature.

Description: INSTANT HOT WATER DISPENSER The invention relates to an instant hot water dispenser particularly, although not exclusively, an instant hot water dispenser for dispensing instant hot water for preparing hot drinks, for example tea or coffee. Water generally suitable for preparing hot drinks is normally heated to boiling point by means of a kettle and often the person preparing a hot drink will have to wait until water in the kettle has boiled before the drink can be prepared. Therefore hot water is not instantly available with this type of system. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an instant hot water dispenser comprising a storage tank for containing a reservoir of hot water, heating means for maintaining the hot water at a predetermined temperature, a selectively operable discharge means associated with the tank having an oudet for connection with a remote discharge nozzle, the discharge means when operated being arranged to feed water from the reservoir through said oudet to the discharge nozzle, the dispenser being arranged to permit water to drain from the discharge nozzle into the reservoir when the discharge means is not operated, the discharge means being located relative to the tank such that water contained within the discharge means when not operated is maintained at said predetermined temperature. Preferably the discharge means includes a submersible pump which communicates with said outlet. Preferably said oudet is located above the level of the reservoir and is preferably connected to die submersible pump via a conduit which passes through the reservoir. Preferably an inlet to the discharge means is located at a predetermined level above die bottom of the tank in order to define a lower level of die reservoir created by extraction of water by the discharge means. Preferably die discharge means allow free-running of water through the discharge means thus enabling unused water to drain back into the tank from the discharge nozzle when the discharge means is not in operation. Preferably the tank is vented to allow water to drain back from the discharge nozzle when the discharge means is not operated. Preferably venting of the tank is achieved tiirough an oudet port in an upper part of the tank which preferably communicates with a condenser. The condenser may sit on top of die tank or be incorporated witiiin it. Convenientiy, at least the top of the condenser is corrugated or otherwise formed to maximise the surface area thereof. Preferably the heating means comprises an electric heating element located below die lower level of the reservoir. Various aspects of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to die accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an instant hot water dispenser; and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an instant hot water dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of die present invention. Referring to the drawings, there is shown an instant hot water dispenser 10 for heating water to a temperature suitable for the preparation of hot drinks which in die embodiment shown is located below a work surface/sink level. The instant hot water dispenser 10 comprises a storage tank 39 moulded from a synthetic plastics material and defining a chamber 34 for containing a reservoir of hot water 38, heating means 42 for maintaining the hot water at a predetermined temperature, water supply means 43 for maintaining a readily available source of water to the storage tank 39, and selectively operable water discharge means 44 for removing hot water from the storage tank 39. The instant hot water dispenser 10 further comprises condensing chamber 12 for condensing steam from the storage tank 39 to be fed back as water, level sensors 13a, 13b for detecting the level of water in die tank 39, and temperature sensor 21 with temperature controller 26 for measuring and controlling the temperature of water in the tank 39. The condensing chamber 12 also acts to vent the top of the storage tank 39 in a manner providing free passage of water into and out of die tank without interference by pressure or vacuum. The instant hot water dispenser 10 has outer peripheral walls defined by a vertical cylindrical wall 35, base 37 and top 36. Preferably die outer walls of die storage tank 39 are surrounded by an insulating cladding 20 for example foamed plastics, providing economical running of die system by retaining heat witiiin the chamber 34. The cylinder 35 may be of any convenient cross-sectional shape or size. For normal domestic use, it is envisaged tiiat a storage tank 39 having a capacity of about 2 litres would be sufficient. The tank 39 may however have a capacity greater or less than 2 litres. The cylinder walls 35 are made from any suitable material such as plastics or a metal such as copper alloy. Water is delivered to die storage tank 39 by the water supply means 43 having a water supply 28 terminating at an inlet of die storage tank 39. The water supply means 43 comprises a one-way valve 29 whose inlet is connected to die water supply 28 and an oudet connected to a solenoid operated valve 30. The solenoid valve 30 is preferably a coil type operating from a 12 volts source. The oudet of die solenoid valve 30 is connected to die inlet of die storage tank 39 preferably at the lowest position within die storage tank 39. The oudet of die solenoid valve 30 has a water distributor 45 in the form of a pipe internally located within the storage tank 39. This directs water into the tank through a slit 45a and preferably towards the heater element 40. The slit outlet 45 a helps prevent build-up of scale which can get back to die valve 30 and block the same. Hot water is discharged from the storage tank 39, on demand, by selectively operable discharge means 44 comprising a vertical discharge pipe 19 disposed witiiin die chamber 34 of die storage tank 39 and being connected at a lower end to a submersible pump 24 and at die upper end to discharge nozzle 11. The pump 24 is located at die base of the storage tank 39 having an inlet 22c and an oudet 22d. Pump inlet 22c is connected to a vertical pipe 22a whose inlet 22b draws water from a lower level B of water in the storage tank 39. The inlet 22b of pipe 22a is above the bottom of the storage tank 39 and defines die lower level B. The inlet 22b of pipe 22a and lower level B of die storage tank 39 are positioned above die heater element 40 such that the water is never allowed to fall below heater element 40 tims ensuring tiiat die element is always fully immersed in water. The outlet 22d of die submersible pump 24 is connected to the lower end of vertical discharge pipe 19 also located internally to the storage tank 39. The opposite end of die vertical discharge pipe 19 exits die top wall 36 of storage tank 39 through an oudet defined by a coupling 46 which forms an in-line communication passage through to the discharge nozzle 11. At die terminal end of die discharge nozzle 11 is die discharge pipe oudet 16. A zone of water 38a surrounding the heater element 40 is defined by die volume of water contained under die lower level B in the storage tank 39. The pump 24 preferably operates by means of a 12 volt motor 25 externally located at die base of the storage tank 39. The discharge of water is selectively operable by initiating a switch 17 tiiat, in one state, causes the motor 25 to operate and hence turn die pump 24 to draw hot water from the volume of water 38a in die storage tank 39 through the intake 22b of inlet pipe 22a. Preferably the switch 17 is operated from a 12 volt supply. A discharge of hot water is forced up die discharge pipe 19 by initiating pump 24 and issues from the outlet 16 of die discharge nozzle 11 of discharge pipe 19. When die pump 24 is deactivated by operating switch 17 changing over to a second state the residue water remaining in the vertical discharge pipe 19 is allowed to drain back into the storage tank 39 by the venting at the top of die tank. Upon draining back into die storage tank 39 the water in the discharge means will assume the same level as the level of the water in the storage tank 39. The water remaining in the vertical discharge pipe 19 located inside storage tank 39 will thus be maintained at die same temperature as die water in the reservoir by conduction. This ensures that water in the discharge means is maintained at die storage tank water temperature such that when the discharge means 44 is operated, instant hot water at the desired temperature is immediately discharged through die nozzle. Preferably the 12 volts distributed to the solenoid valve 30, pump motor 25 and switch 17 are supplied from a 12 volt isolating transformer 14. With the instant hot water dispenser 10 situated at a concealed location below die surface of a worktop/sink 41 the switch 17 and die oudet of the discharge pipe 19 may reside at an accessible location above the worktop 41. The heater element 40 is preferably a 240 volt a.c. coil type electric element of 2.8kw having a thermal overload cut-out switch 31 located in die head of die heater element 40. The heater element 40 is mounted on the central base 37 of the tank so as to be located below die inlet of the discharge means. Accordingly, if die tank is emptied to lower level B by die discharge means 44 the heater element 40 will always remain under water. In die event of the level dropping lower than lower level B the diermal overload cut-out switch 31 will prevent die heater element 40 from burning out. The heater element 40 is connected to a relay 29 by means of a pair of electrically conducting wires 40a. A temperature controller 26 receives a temperature change signal by means of a pair of electrically conducting wires 21a the signal corresponding to die water temperature being sensed by temperature sensor 21. The temperature controller 26 is preferably an adjustable diermostat, but any other means may be used such as a resistance diermometer (thermistor) or a thermocouple. The water temperature set is dependent upon die desired requirement of die dispenser. For hot drinks, the temperature is preferably set in excess of 80°C, more preferably in excess of 90 °C. The temperature sensor 21 in die embodiment shown extends outward from the vertical side wall 35 of die storage tank 39 adjacent to, and occupying substantially the same zone of water 38a as, the heater element 40. Also adjacent to and occupying substantially die same zone of water 38a as die heater element 40 and the temperature sensor 21 is the pump 24 inlet pipe 22a. Substantially towards the top of the storage tank 39 is a upper storage tank water level A and disposed between levels A and B are the level sensors 13a, 13b respectively. The storage tank level sensors 13a,13b are situated in die vertical side wall 35 of the storage tank 39. The lower level sensor 13b is positioned above die temperature sensor 21 witiiin the same zone 38a and at a lower distal region of lower level B. The upper level sensor is positioned witiiin an upper distal region of upper level A. The level sensors 13a, 13b are electrically connected by wires 13c, 13d to a level controller 15. The level controller 15 is electrically connected by wires 15a to die solenoid valve 30 in-line with the mains water inlet pipe 28. When the water 38 demanded by pump 24 is caused to drop below level A die upper sensor 13a sends a signal to open die solenoid valve 30 via level controller 15. This open signal causes mains water to flow into inlet pipe 28 and replenish the storage tank 39 to maintain the correct upper level A. When the correct upper level A is reached die upper level sensor 13a causes die solenoid valve 30 to shut thus cutting the water supply off to the storage tank 39 at this desired level. Located on the storage tank top 36 is the condensing chamber 12 moulded from a synthetic plastics material and having a water vapour/steam inlet pipe 32 and a vent pipe 33 which allows the tank to vent diereby providing an open system. The condensing chamber 12 receives steam from inside the chamber 34 tiirough an inlet pipe 32. The steam therein condenses and runs back down into die chamber 34. The vent pipe 33 not only allows the tank to breath as an open tank system but also serves as an overflow in the event of die solenoid 30 failing to shut off flow. The condensing chamber 12 is preferably absent of any lagging or cladding as cooling die steam and condensing it to water to be received back into die tank would be gready assisted by tiiis feature. Turning now to Figure 2 which shows a preferred embodiment of me invention. This is generally similar to that of Figure 1, whereby similar reference numerals have been used for like parts. The main difference between the embodiment of Figure 1 and die preferred embodiment of Figure 2 concerns die condensing chamber 12 which in the latter is incorporated witiiin die top of die tank 39. The tank 39 is moulded from a synthetic plastics material as before but has two portions of increased cross-section at its open end. A first portion 51 of increased cross section provides a lip 52 which forms a seat for the tank top 36 on which is disposed a layer insulating cladding 53 similar to die external cladding 20. A second portion 54 of increased cross section provides a further lip 55 which forms a seat for the condensing chamber 12, which again is moulded from a syndietic plastics material and has the vapour/steam inlet pipe 32 and a vent pipe 33 as before. The inlet pipe 32 is curved at die end located witiiin die tank 39, the curved end acting as a baffle 60 to prevent undue egress of vapour/steam from the tank and hence prevent undue cooling of the water within die tank. The condensing chamber 12 is moulded widi a boss 56 offset to one side of the chamber, which boss receives a metallic pipe 57 in the lower of which is disposed the temperature sensor 21. A further boss 58 is provided to receive die discharge pipe 19 to which is releasably fitted the discharge nozzle 11. The condensing chamber 12 is provided witii a lid 58, also of a syndietic plastics material, which is of corrugated form so as to maximise die surface area thereof and hence maximise the cooling rate of the vapour/steam witiiin the body of die condensing chamber. The lid 58 is screwed onto die tank 39 at a number of points around die periphery diereof at which points bosses are provided to receive self-tapping screws, or which may be tiireaded to receive conventional screws. The lid is apertured to allow die tiirough passage of the discharge pipe 19 and the pipe 57. The vent pipe 33 fits into a socket 59 moulded into die one side chamber 12. The heater 40 is a conventional 2.5kw heater, but may be a 2.8kw heater as before. The heater 40 is mounted in die side of die. tank 39 as is die pump 25 which in this embodiment is mains operated. The 12 volt switch 17 operates a relay 61 on the circuit board 62 which relay connects mains power (not shown) to die pump 25. The water distributor in die form of the pipe 45 has one end connected to die solenoid valve 30 as before, and die otiier end attached to die floor of the tank 39, the oudet for the water again being in die form of the slit 45a. In this embodiment the two level sensors 13a and 13b operate in conjunction witii an earthed electrode 13e. In botii embodiments, the sensors 13a and 13b, and the electrode 13e in die preferred embodiment, may be in the form of metallic strips of different lengths and located in generally vertical channels of dovetail cross section moulded into the sides of die tank 39. This dispenses with die need to provide apertures in the The preferred embodiment of Figure 2 operates in generally the same manner as tiiat described in connection witii die embodiment of Figure 1. In botii embodiments, the discharge nozzle 11 may be in die form of a tap having an operating mechanism, such as a lever, which as well as opening die tap, actuates a microswitch to energise the relay 61, tiius dispensing witii die switch 17.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An instant hot water dispenser comprising a storage tank for containing a reservoir of hot water, heating means for maintaining the hot water at a predetermined temperature, a selectively operable discharge means associated witii die tank having an outlet for connection with a remote discharge nozzle, die discharge means when operated being arranged to feed water from the reservoir tiirough said oudet to the discharge nozzle, the dispenser being arranged to permit water to drain from the discharge nozzle into die reservoir when die discharge means is not operated, die discharge means being located relative to the tank such that water contained witiiin the discharge means when not operated is maintained at said predetermined temperature. 2. An instant hot water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the discharge means includes a submersible pump which communicates with said outlet. 3. An instant hot water dispenser according to claims 1 and 2, wherein said outlet is located above die level of the reservoir and is connected to die submersible pump via a conduit which passes through die reservoir. 4. An instant hot water dispenser according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein an inlet to die discharge means is located at a predetermined height above the bottom of die tank in order to define a lower level of the reservoir created by extraction of water by the discharge means. 5. An instant hot water dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein an die discharge means allow free-running of water through the discharge means tiius enabling water to drain back into die tank from the discharge nozzle when the discharge means is not in operation. 6. An instant hot water dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein die discharge nozzle is fitted with a tap having an operating mechanism and an electrical switch, the switch being operated to actuate die discharge when die tap is opened and to de-actuate die discharge means when die tap is closed. 7. An instant hot water dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the tank is vented to allow water to drain back from the discharge nozzle when the discharge means is not operated. 8. An instant hot water dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein venting of die tank is achieved through an outiet port in an upper part of the tank. 9. An instant hot water dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the outiet port communicates with a condenser. 10. An instant hot water dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the condenser is incorporated in die tank. 11. An instant hot water dispenser according to claim 9 or 10, wherein die condenser is separated from the top of the tank by a layer of thermal insulation. 12. An instant hot water dispenser according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein die condenser comprises a chamber fitted witii a lid of corrguated formation. 13. An instant hot water dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the lid of die condenser also forms an overall lid for the tank. 14. An instant hot water dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the heating means comprises an electric heating element located below die lower level of the reservoir. 15. An instant hot water dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described witii reference to the accompanying drawing.

Inventors: WALKER DAVID MACALLISTER, WALKER, DAVID, MACALLISTER
Applicants: DOLPHIN WATER SHOPS LTD, WALKER DAVID MACALLISTER, DOLPHIN WATER SHOPS LIMITED, WALKER, DAVID, MACALLISTER
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A41J31
IPC codes: A47J27, A47J31, F24H1, G07F11