Abstract:
An improved hydration station comprises a wall mounted unit including a stationary lower body panel coupled to a drain, and a hinged upper body panel carrying a nozzle subassembly for dispensing water into a recess alcove defined cooperatively by the lower and upper body panels in response to user-insertion of a water-receiving receptacle into the alcove. The preferred wall unit includes a non-contact sensor for controlling water dispensing flow, and a preferred nozzle assembly includes at least one component having an antimicrobial additive. A preferred control timer automatically dispenses water in the event that the sensor does not detect a user-inserted receptable within a predetermined time interval, such as 24 hours. In addition, in a preferred form, lights on the unit are energized at one level during water dispensing, and at a second level when water is not being dispensed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates primarily to improvements in the delivery and dispensing of drinking water, particularly to drinking water delivered in a public facility or place of work. This invention is intended to improve both the quality of the water issued and the means of delivery for this water. 
         [0002]    Two kinds of drinking water dispensers are typically used in public areas. The first is the traditional drinking fountain, which emits a stream of water at a near-vertical angle from a purpose-built bubbler head, when the user activates a valve (usually with a button or lever); the user drinks directly from this stream. Any wasted water is usually caught in the basin of the fountain and is disposed of through a plumbed drain. The second type of dispenser is a point-of-use water cooler, which is usually a free-standing floor unit with a large removable water reservoir on the top. This water, which is often replenished on a regular basis by a drinking water service, is dispensed through a lever- or button-actuated tap into a cup, bottle, or similar receptacle. Any wasted water is caught in a simple basin; these often do not have plumbed drains. 
         [0003]    There are problems associated with both types of dispensers. Both dispensers, for instance, usually have a substantial footprint, which can be a difficulty in offices or any areas where space is a premium commodity. Both types of dispenser, being used by a large number of individuals and having areas that are frequently wet, have a great capacity to be unsanitary. Drinking fountains, and some point-of-use water coolers, rely on an input of municipal water, which, depending on geography as well as the condition of the inlet plumbing, can be of inferior quality. Many point-of-use coolers utilize purified drinking water purchased on a regular basis, which is far more expensive per gallon than municipal water. 
         [0004]    There is room, therefore, for improvement upon the delivery of public drinking water. The present invention addresses both the aforementioned problems and additional peripheral issues. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In accordance with the invention, an improved drinking water dispenser includes a wall-mounted assembly  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) with a vertically-oriented nozzle (denoted by reference numeral  78  in  FIG. 4 ) that dispenses water downwardly. This nozzle  78  is located at the top of an alcove area; at the bottom of this alcove is a drain which is designed to be permanently plumbed (see  FIGS. 2 and 6 ). The water that issues from the nozzle  78  is intended to be caught by a drinking water vessel (not shown) such as a glass or a bottle. An inline carbon filter  25  is used to remove sediment, as well as chlorine taste and odor, and a pressure regulator  37  assures a proper flow (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0006]    The unit is activated by means of an infrared sensor  46  below the nozzle  78 , removing the need for any physical contact on the part of the user (see  FIGS. 1 and 5 ). An increased signal return from the infrared sensor  46  indicates the presence of an object in the sensor path; this object must continue to trigger the sensor  46  for a very short delay period (which should allow the user to fully position his or her receptacle underneath the nozzle  78 ), after which a solenoid valve  35  will open (see  FIG. 2 ), permitting water flow to the nozzle  78 . 
         [0007]    A timer feature  81  (see  FIG. 10 ) is built into the main electronic board  68  ( FIG. 9 ); this timer  81  resets every time the unit is used. If the timer  81  is allowed to reach twenty-four hours, the solenoid valve  35  will be activated automatically for a matter of seconds, flushing the water through the nozzle  78  and out of the system. In this manner, water is not permitted to remain in the unit for more than a 24-hour period, preventing the buildup of harmful bacteria over time. 
         [0008]    The nozzle  78  comprises an assembly of molded nozzle components  40 ,  44 , and  47  ( FIG. 4 ) which may be constructed from a polymer with an antimicrobial additive which prevents the growth of bacteria. As a commercially-available example of a part constructed from a polymer with an antimicrobial additive is the CM3 modular ice machine, available from Scotsman Ice Systems, Vernon Hills, Ill., under the brand name AgION™. 
         [0009]    A nozzle outlet  40  is equipped with a number of equally spaced mesh screens  41  and  42  designed to remove inherent turbulence from the water from and create a softer, more uniform flow (see  FIG. 4 ). A nozzle housing  44  encases a small printed circuit board  45  with a number of LED lights  82  (see  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 ); these lights  82  normally pulse at a reduced brightness level to indicate that the electronics are functioning properly, with the produced light being externally visible in the upper region of the alcove immediately below the nozzle  78  near the top of the alcove, and generally in front of the infrared sensor  46 . When the unit is activated upon operation of the infrared sensor  46  to open the solenoid valve  35  to initiate water flow, the LED lights  82  engage immediately at full brightness, both to indicate that the sensor  46  has been triggered and to further assist in the positioning of the user&#39;s receptacle beneath the nozzle  78 . 
         [0010]    The unit is mounted to a stainless steel back panel  13  ( FIGS. 1-3 ) or the like, which is in turn attached to a galvanized steel mounting frame  11  (see  FIG. 3 ). The frame  11  is sufficiently small to fit between two normally-spaced wall studs (not shown) of a wall  83 , and is designed to be secured to these studs such that the stainless steel back panel  13  butts against an outside or outboard face of the wall  83 . 
         [0011]    In such a design that is mounted largely within the wall  83 , it is desirable to have the ability to access the internal components and features with minimal effort and tools. Conversely, it is necessary for the unit  10  to be as secure from tampering as possible. As such, a main upper panel  15  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) of the unit  10  opens on concealed hinges  16  ( FIG. 3 ) to afford easy access. Two separate mechanisms hold the door or upper panel  15  in place during normal operation. One mechanism comprises a pair of conventional roller catches  17  which provide solid physical stops for the panel  15 ; local slots  84  ( FIG. 3 ) formed in the side edges of the main upper panel  15  provide access and leverage assistance in releasing these roller catches  17  to open the upper panel  15 , as by means of a small screwdriver (not shown) or the like. Secondly, a single hidden magnetic latch  18  interfaces with the steel back panel  13 . A removable knob-shaped magnetic key  79  ( FIG. 1 ), when placed in the proper position on the upper panel  15 , actuates the hidden latch  18 , moving it out of place and allowing the upper panel  15  to swing open freely. A typical magnetic latch system like this that is commercially available is the Tot-Lok System, marketed by Safety 1st, Columbus, Ind. 
         [0012]    When the upper panel  15  is in an open position, a large cutout  85  ( FIG. 3 ) in the steel back panel  13  offers access to the internal plumbing and other components. In this way, a number of maintenance items can be performed quickly and easily. The service life of the filter  25  can be assessed with a flow totalizer  21  ( FIGS. 2 ,  7  and  13 ), and a filter cartridge (not shown) used in the inline carbon filter  25  can be changed as needed. In addition, the open upper panel  15  allows a drain grate  53  ( FIGS. 1 and 6 ) to be unbolted and removed so that a drain  50  and strainer  54  ( FIG. 6 ) can be cleaned and serviced. A lower panel  14  is permanently secured or constrained to the back panel  13 , providing a robust waste plumbing configuration. 
         [0013]    In essence, the present invention therefore comprises an unobtrusive system or means for delivering purified water through a sanitized system into the user&#39;s water receptacle. The invention requires essentially no floor space, and does not utilize the large water containers typically associated with many point-of-use coolers; rather, it fits easily and securely within a wall  83 . There are a number of features which are intended to minimize the spread of bacteria and foreign particulates to the user, including a carbon filter  25 , antimicrobial components ( 40 ,  44 , and  47 ), non-contact activation by means of a “hands-off” sensor  46 , and the automatic purging cycle built into a main circuit board  68  ( FIG. 9 ). Maintenance is expedited and simplified by means of the hinged upper panel  15 . 
         [0014]    The versatility inherent to many of the components themselves cannot be overlooked. As an example, there are numerous methods that could be used with this design for hinging the upper panel  15 . Virtually any type of non-mortised concealed hinge could be used with simple variations to the upper panel  15  and/or to the back panel  13 . Similarly, if concealment is not required or desired, any standard hinges, such as piano hinges, could be used. 
         [0015]    This same concept can be applied to the upper panel  15  retention hardware. It is not necessary to the design to use the roller-type catches, for instance. Any mechanical catch, such as a snap latch or grab catch, that actuates with the proper push-in/pull-out force, could be utilized (again, given some simple changes to the hinged panel  15  and/or to the back panel  13 ). Magnetic cabinet catches could be employed as well. In lieu of a magnetic latch and key system, a mechanical cam or key-actuated lock would suffice. The upper panel  15  could be secured to the back panel  13  using captive fasteners or threaded fasteners. 
         [0016]    The plumbing fittings utilized throughout the design could easily be compression-style fittings or barbed fittings rather than push-in fittings. 
         [0017]    The device itself could be actuated by means of a physical push button or slide that would either electrically or mechanically activate a solenoid valve in lieu of and/or in addition to the “hands-off” infrared sensor currently employed. 
         [0018]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The attached drawings are intended to illustrate the invention. In many of the drawings, wiring has been removed for clarity. In such drawings: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of an improved hydration station or unit embodying the novel features of the invention, and including the entirety of the area which is visible to the end user; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the unit, including the internal plumbing; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the unit with a main upper panel in the open position; such position being typical for the performance of routine maintenance; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged and fragmented vertical sectional view of a nozzle assembly and surrounding components; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged and fragmented sectional view of an infrared sensor and surrounding components; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged and fragmented sectional view of a drain area; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged and fragmented view of the area surrounding a flow totalizer; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged and fragmented view of a portion of the back or rear side of the unit depicting retention hardware for releasibly retaining the main upper panel; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged and fragmented view of the area around a main circuit board; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart describing the basic timer function of an automatic purging feature present in the written firmware of the processor of the main circuit board; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged horizontal sectional view illustrating details of a nozzle-mounted LED circuit board; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart describing the behavior of the LED circuit board assembly; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart describing the function of the LED indicators associated with the flow totalizer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    As seen in the attached drawings, an improved hydration station comprises a main water dispenser assembly (denoted by reference numeral  10 ) in the form of a wall-mounted unit; a rectangular mounting frame  11  is used to provide support and mounting for the device ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ); this mounting frame  11  has a number of holes through which mounting screws may be affixed into wall studs (not shown) or similar items of a wall  83  or the like. Four panel clips  12  ( FIG. 2 ) provide an interface between this mounting frame  11  and a sheet metal panel  13  ( FIG. 1 ) formed from stainless steel or the like. This sheet metal panel  13  in turn butts against the wall  83  and provides central mounting for the main components of the unit  10 . 
         [0034]    The main body of the wall-mounted device or unit  10  is split into two separate contoured panels which are situated on the outboard or end-user side of the device ( FIG. 1 ). A lower body panel  14  is a stationary piece which houses the drain and waste, while an upper body panel  15  can be actuated on concealed hinges  16  ( FIG. 3 ) for movement between a normal closed position ( FIG. 1 ) and an open position ( FIG. 3 ). The lower panel  14  is secured to the sheet metal panel  13  with four self-tapping screws  73  ( FIG. 2 ) or the like. 
         [0035]    The hinged upper body panel  15  is shaped to define a recessed central alcove on the outboard or end-user side thereof; it is in this alcove that the end user places his or her water receptacle, such as a bottle or glass (not shown), activates the unit, and receives drinking water. This upper panel  15  is ordinarily retained in a closed position ( FIG. 1 ) by means of two concealed mechanical roller catches  17  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). These catches  17  are secured to the sheet metal panel  13  and to the upper body panel  15  with a number of machine screws  27  and self-tapping screws  28 , respectively ( FIG. 8 ). Two vertical slots  84  ( FIG. 3 ) are provided locally in the left-hand edge of the upper body panel  15  for the purpose of opening the upper panel  15  (by overcoming the resistance of the mechanical roller catches  17 ) with a small leverage device such as a screwdriver (not shown). A single concealed magnetically-actuated latch  18  ( FIG. 2 ) is also utilized to ensure that no unauthorized access to the unit occurs. The magnetic latch  18  is fastened to the upper body panel with several self-tapping screws  29  ( FIG. 8 ). The magnetic latch  18  is actuated by means of a removable knob-shaped magnetic key  79  ( FIG. 1 ) which can be applied over the magnetic latch on the front of the upper body panel  15 . A typical magnetic latch system is commercially available is the Tot-Lok System, marketed by Safety 1st, Columbus, Ind. In the open position ( FIG. 3 ), service and/or maintenance of the unit  10  is permitted by virtue of access to the rear side of the upper body panel  15  in addition to access to other system components ( FIG. 2 ) by access through a central cut-out  85  formed in the sheet metal panel  13 . 
         [0036]    An inlet water connection is located at the left-hand side of the unit when viewing the unit from the back ( FIG. 2 ). The user water inlet is permitted through a large circular opening nearby in the mounting frame  11 . A quick-connect plastic fitting with a ⅜″ female end  19  is provided for the customer water inlet tubing; this fitting reduces to a ¼″ quick-connect female end on the opposite side ( FIG. 2 ). A short length of ¼″ plastic tubing  20  connects this inlet fitting to an inlet port or inlet side of a battery-powered electronic flow totalizer device  21  ( FIGS. 2 and 7 ). This flow totalizer  21  is fastened to the inner wall of the mounting frame  11  with hex nut  26  which is tightened onto an self-clinching threaded stud integral to the mounting frame  11  ( FIG. 7 ); its corresponding lights such as LEDs  86 , however, are secured to the front sheet metal panel  13  by means of snap-in panel-mount LED retainers  22  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  7 ). These LEDs  86  are hidden behind the upper panel  15  during normal operation, but are externally visible through their respective retainers  22  when energized or illuminated. One or both LEDs  86  activate when flow occurs; an illuminated green LED indicates general flow through the device, while an illuminated yellow LED indicates that a certain total volume setpoint has been exceeded (see  FIG. 13 ). A battery case  87  adheres to the inside of the mounting frame  11  by means of adhesive transfer tape  30  (see  FIGS. 3 and 7 ) or the like. 
         [0037]    A second short length of ¼″ tubing  20  is affixed to an outlet port of the flow totalizer  21 , followed by another ⅜″×¼″ female quick-connect fitting  19  ( FIG. 2 ). A jogged length of ⅜″ copper tubing  23  then runs into the female end of ⅜″ plastic male/female quick-connect 90° elbow  24 ; this elbow  24  in turn is attached to the inlet side of an inline disposable-cartridge carbon filter  25  ( FIG. 2 ). The head of the carbon filter is attached to the sheet metal panel  13  with two machine screws  31  and two nuts  32  ( FIG. 4 ). A second ⅜″ male/female quick-connect 90° elbow  24  is attached to the female outlet port of the inline carbon filter  25  ( FIG. 2 ); from the female end of this elbow  24 , a length of ⅜″ plastic tubing  33  is connected. This plastic tubing  33  leads to the ⅜″ female quick-connect end of a ⅜″ female—½″ NPT female fitting  34 . The ½″ NPT end interfaces with an electronically-controlled solenoid valve  35  held to the sheet metal panel  13  via two machine screws  36  ( FIG. 2 ). The solenoid valve  35  is powered and controlled from a main circuit board  68  ( FIG. 9 ). Screwed directly into the outlet of this solenoid valve  35  is a small pressure regulator  37  ( FIG. 2 ); this allows the pressure and corresponding flow rate to be optimized in light of differing installation conditions such as inlet water pressure. A ⅜″ NPT male—⅜″ quick connect female 90° elbow  38  is attached on the NPT side to the outlet port of the pressure regulator  37  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0038]    A length of flexible ⅜″ plastic tubing  74  ( FIGS. 2-3 ) is secured to the quick-connect side of the aforementioned elbow  38 ; this tubing  74  runs to ⅜″ female quick-connect 90° elbow  39  ( FIG. 3 ). The outlet of this elbow  39  leads to the upper nozzle component  40  ( FIG. 4 ) of the nozzle subassembly  78 . At the end of the upper nozzle  40  (the zone which emits drinking water), there are a number of mesh screens  41  and spacers  42  in alternating series; this is designed to lessen turbulent flow. A spacer  43  at the farthest extremity, or downstream end, is engaged into the upper nozzle by means of interference fit; this is necessary to retain the screens  41  and spacers  42  behind it ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0039]    The upper nozzle component  40  has a straight cylindrical section designed to interface with a ⅜″ female quick-connect fitting. Beneath this is a mounting flange and then the lower segment of the nozzle, through which the drinking water issues. There are two self-tapping screws (not shown) that traverse through-holes in the mounting flange of the upper nozzle component  40  and in the roof of the dispenser alcove in the upper body panel  15  and screw into the appropriate bosses in a lower nozzle component  44  ( FIG. 4 ), effectively positioning and retaining the entire nozzle subassembly  78 . The lower nozzle  44  is generally cup-shaped and inverted, with the opening facing downward. There is also a cylindrical thin-walled boss extending from the top to retain and guide the upper nozzle  40 . Lying alongside this cylindrical boss is a thin-walled rectangular boss that corresponds to a similarly-shaped window in the upper nozzle  40 ; these spaces are designed to permit the passage of any wiring or similar item from the upper nozzle  40  through the upper panel  15  to the internal side of the unit. 
         [0040]    At least one and preferably all of these water-contacting nozzle subassembly components are constructed from a material including a selected antimicrobial additive. One commercially-available example of a part constructed from a polymer with an antimicrobial additive is the CM3 modular ice machine, available from Scotsman Ice Systems, Vernon Hills, Ill., under the brand name AgION™. 
         [0041]    A small circular circuit board  45  ( FIGS. 4 and 11 ) with four lights such as LED  82  (see  FIG. 11 ) is held inside the lower nozzle component  44  against a number of radially-positioned rectangular standoffs; these lights  82  are activated by an infrared sensor  46  to guide the user to optimally receive the drinking water (see  FIGS. 4 and 12 ). These LEDs  82  are programmed and operated to continuously flash at a decreased intensity to indicate that the electronics are properly functioning, wherein this flashing light is visible within the upper region of the alcove at the front or outboard side of the upper hinged panel  15 . The LED circuit board  45  is controlled and powered from the main circuit board  68  ( FIG. 9 ). 
         [0042]    A protective cap  47  fits over the large lower opening of lower nozzle  44 ; it has openings to permit both the passage of light from the LEDs  82  on the circuit board  45  and the upper nozzle  40  ( FIG. 4 ). This cap  47  is held in place with two self-tapping countersink screws  48 ; these screws interface with their corresponding bosses in the lower nozzle  44 . There are two unthreaded broaching standoffs  49  pressed into the LED circuit board  45  intended to maintain the spacing between the LED circuit board  45  and the cap  47 ; the two countersink screws  48  pass through these standoffs  49 . 
         [0043]    An upwardly open, generally cup-shaped drain basin  50  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  6 ) is disposed directly beneath the nozzle subassembly  78 ; its general shape compliments both the outer contours of the lower body panel  14  and in the contours of the alcove defined cooperatively between the stationary lower body panel  14  and the hinged upper body panel  15  ( FIG. 1 ). The drain basin  50  fits into the lower body panel  14  from the front of the panel; there are several I-shaped locating bosses which interface with rectangular holes in the lower body panel  14 . Two self-tapping screws  51  ( FIG. 2 ) fit into the screw bosses in the back of the drain basin  50 ; these bosses slide into larger bosses in the lower body panel  14 . Each self-tapping screw  51  butts against a washer  52  which prevents the drain basin  50  from being removed from the front of the unit  10 . 
         [0044]    A drain grate  53  fits into the top of the open cup of the drain basin  50 ; the bottom of this grate  53  is held up by several flats inside the drain basin  50  ( FIG. 6 ). There are two counterbored holes in the top of the drain grate  53 . Two self-tapping screws  89  pass through these holes and screw into the drain basin  50 ; these screws must be removed if the drain is to be serviced. It should also be noted that the geometry of the bottom of the hinged upper body panel  15  overlies and obstructs, and thus prevents the removal of the drain grate  53  unless the upper body panel  15  is open ( FIG. 6 ). 
         [0045]    The drain basin  50  has a sloped bottom with a large countersunk D-hole formed therein; this hole receives and cradles a threaded drain strainer  54 . A rubber washer  55  and a fiber washer  56  are sandwiched against the bottom of the drain basin  50  by a nut  57  which is threaded onto the drain strainer  54  ( FIG. 6 ); these washers are intended to seal the opening around the drain strainer  54 . A flanged 90° waste bend  58  is held against the bottom of the drain strainer  54  with a cupped nut  80 ; a rubber O-ring  59  prevents leaking from this interface. The waste plumbing is completed by an 1¼″ female slip joint waste elbow  60  ( FIG. 3 ) adapted for coupling to a suitable drain site (not shown). 
         [0046]    There is a circular hole in the back of the alcove on the upper body panel  15  at a position spaced a short distance beneath the nozzle subassembly  78 ; a rectangular tinted plastic window  61  ( FIG. 5 ) butts against the back of this area. A rubber O-ring  62  fits into an O-ring groove in the back of the upper body panel  15  that surrounds this circular hole; this O-ring  62  will prevent moisture from entering the unit through the window area. A small open electrical box  63  sandwiches the plastic window  61  and the O-ring  62  against the upper body panel  15 . This electrical box  63  is flanged on its left and right sides with through holes in the flanges to permit two self-tapping screws  64  to interface with screw bosses on the main upper body panel  15  and hold the box in place ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ). 
         [0047]    Inside the box  63 , there is a small rectangular sheet metal mount  65  for the infrared sensor  46 . The infrared sensor  46  is mounted against a folded tab in the sheet metal mount  65  and is held in place by two sheet metal screws  66 . The infrared sensor  46  is oriented such that it faces the window  61 , permitting it to sense the presence of a nearby object ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0048]    The sheet metal sensor mount  65  is attached to the upper body panel  15  by means of two self-tapping screws  67 ; there are clearance holes in the tinted sensor window  61  for the screw bosses for these self-tapping screws  67  ( FIG. 5 ). The IR sensor  46  is connected to the main circuit board  68  for power and signal transmission. 
         [0049]    An AC input power is connected to the unit inside an electrical box with cable grips  69  ( FIG. 2 ). This box  69  is located on the mounting frame  11  in the lower right-hand corner facing the back of the unit, and is held in place with two machine screws  70 . User power hookups are permitted through a large circular hole nearby in the mounting frame  11 . 
         [0050]    The main circuit board  68  is contained within a large plastic electrical box  71  ( FIG. 9 ). This box has two holes drilled through the lower wall; the hole to the left (facing the back of the unit) permits the passage of the low-voltage wiring, such as the sensor wires and the LED wires. The hole to the right permits the passage of the high-voltage power wiring. The main electrical box  71  includes a cover with mounting screws in the corners. There are four screw bosses in the base of the electrical box  71 ; these allow the attachment of the main circuit board  68  by the use of four self-tapping screws  72  ( FIG. 9 ). 
         [0051]    The purpose of the main circuit board  68  is to control the normal operating functions of the unit. The sole electronic component that operates outside the control of the main circuit board  68  is the battery-powered flow totalizer  21 , which can be completely self-contained. The main circuit board  68  contains the firmware code used to govern the unit and interprets the signals from the infrared sensor  46  and activates or deactivates the LED board  45  and the solenoid valve  35  as necessary. The circuit board  68  activates the LED board  45  immediately upon acquisition of an infrared signal and opens the solenoid valve  35  after a selected time delay, typically approximately one second, of a maintained infrared signal. 
         [0052]    The circuit board  68  receives the input power for the unit and distributes power to the peripheral electrical devices. It also contains means such as dip switches (not shown) for controlling the brightness level of the LED assembly  45  toggling a continuous power signal for the LED assembly  45 , and providing sensitivity adjustment for the infrared sensor  46 . 
         [0053]    The firmware associated with the circuit board  68  also provides a convenient automatic purging feature. Its function is laid out in  FIG. 10 . Every time the unit is used to dispense water, the timer function resets itself and begins counting up. If the total time is allowed to reach  24  hours without a water dispense cycle, the circuit board  68  will send power to the solenoid valve  35  for approximately ten seconds, allowing the valve  35  to open and the water within the unit to be purged out the nozzle  78 . This prevents standing water from remaining in the unit for more than  24  hours, which aids in the prevention of bacteria growth. 
         [0054]    The electrical box  71  is attached to a small sheet metal plate  75  ( FIG. 9 ). This plate has four integral broaching studs which fit through the mounting holes on the flanges of the electrical box  71 . Hex nuts  76  hold the electrical box  71  to the sheet metal plate  75 . The sheet metal plate  75  is secured to the main sheet metal panel  13  with two more integral broaching studs that face the opposite direction. These studs pass through the main sheet metal panel  75  and are held in place with hex nuts  77  ( FIG. 9 ). The purpose of this sheet metal mounting plate  75  is to allow secure mount of the electrical box while keeping all fasteners out of sight when the unit is viewed from the front. 
         [0055]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the LED&#39;s  82  in response to actuation of the infrared sensor  46 , all under the control of the main circuit board  68 . As previously described, the LED&#39;s  82  are normally energized to flash or blink at partial power, to indicate that the sensor  46  has not been activate, while providing sufficient illumination of the upper portion of the alcove region to assist in placement of a water-receiving vessel. When the sensor  46  is activated by such placement of the water-receiving vessel in close proximity thereto, the solenoid valve  35  is opened to initiate water dispense flow. At this moment, the LED&#39;s  82  are energized for substantially full-power illumination, preferably without flashing. When the dispense cycle has concluded, the main circuit board  68  de-activates the infrared sensor  46 , closes the solenoid valve  35 , and returns to the LED&#39;s  82  to their normal part-power blink mode. 
         [0056]      FIG. 13  depicts operation of the flow totalizer  21 , as a function of water dispensing under the control of the main circuit board  68 . As shown, when the solenoid valve  35  is opened to initiate water dispense flow, the totalizer  21  responds by summing and storing the gallonage of water dispensed using a known time-flow algorithm. If the summed/stored gallonage dispense total is below a predetermined maximum for the associated filter  25 , the green LED  86  is activated during the dispense cycle. However, if the summed/stored dispense total exceeds the predetermined maximum, then the yellow LED  86  is additionally illuminated during the dispense cycle. Such actuation of the LED&#39;s  86  provides a clear indication that the gallonage cycle of the filter  25  has been reached or exceeded, and that filter replacement is warranted. 
         [0057]    A variety of further modifications and improvements in and to the improved hydration station of the present invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Accordingly, no limitation on the invention is intended by way of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, except as set forth in the appended claims.