Abstract:
This invention relates to a dispensing system, comprising a dispensing outlet ( 108 ) for dispensing beverage at a controlled temperature, a mixing chamber ( 120 ) upstream in a flow path to said outlet such that dispensed beverage flows from said chamber to the outlet, at least three feeding lines ( 124, 126, 128 ) feeding beverage of at least three different defined temperatures to said chamber; and a controller ( 500 ) for controlling the feed from each of said feeding lines so as to yield a desired temperature of the dispensed beverage.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a national stage application under 35 USC 371 of International Application No. PCT/IL2012/050047, filed Feb. 15, 2012, which claims the priority of Provisional Application No. 61/447,441, filed Feb. 28, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a dispensing system for a beverage, particularly drinking water that allows adjustment of the temperature of the dispensed liquid to achieve a desired temperature. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Systems for dispensing beverages at different temperatures are known, and especially for dispensing of water for household uses. 
         [0004]    For example, Chinese utility model application CN201365830 discloses a double-container double-control water dispenser, having a water boiling tank and a water storage tank, water level controlling switches, electrically controlled temperature controller, and water inlet and outlet pipes, which are arranged as to avoid the blending of boiled water and unboiled water. 
         [0005]    UK Patent GB2143031 describes a hot water dispenser, having a separate hot water container with a heater and a cold water container. The containers are interconnected, such that when hot water is drawn from a tap, cold water is fed from the cold water container through a tube to a point adjacent the bottom of the hot water container so that the hot water to be dispensed is kept at or near the correct dispensing temperature. 
         [0006]    Further examples are disclosed in patent publications U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,437, U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,391, US 2004/011814, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,871,675. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a dispensing system for a beverage that permit adjustment of the temperature of the dispensed liquid to a desired temperature including, by a specific embodiment, cooled liquid, heated liquid, liquid at ambient (“room”) temperature and a range of temperatures in between. 
         [0008]    This is achieved, in accordance with the invention, by feeding a beverage dispensing outlet with beverage at different temperatures and adjusting the flow of liquid of each temperature so as to achieve a desired temperature of the dispensed beverage. 
         [0009]    In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for dispensing a beverage including, but not limited to water. The system comprises a dispensing outlet for dispensing beverage at a controlled temperature, a mixing chamber upstream in a flow-path to said outlet, such that the dispensed beverage flows from said chamber to said outlet, and at least three feeding lines that feed beverage of at least three different defined temperatures to said chamber. The system also comprises a controller that controls the feed from each of the feeding lines so as to achieve, through proper mixing of the beverage of different temperatures, a desired temperature of the dispensed beverage. Typically, the system includes also a user interface that permits a user to set the temperature of the dispensed beverage to a desired temperature. Once set, upon activation of the system so as to dispense beverage, the flow rate in each of the feeding lines is adjusted to achieve the desired, set temperature. 
         [0010]    The invention also provides by another of its aspects, a process for dispensing a beverage at a desired temperature. The process comprises providing a source for beverage of at least three different defined temperatures and separately feeding a beverage from one or more of these sources to a dispensing outlet, the amount of liquid fed from each feeding line being adjusted to achieve the desired temperature. 
         [0011]    In accordance with the invention, the beverage fed by one or more of the feeding lines is mixed within the mixing chamber and this ensures that the dispensed beverage will have the desired temperature as set by the user. By one embodiment, the outlet is integrally formed at the bottom of the chamber. However, other arrangements are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0012]    In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the chamber includes dividers that divide the chamber into a plurality of sub-chambers. Typically, each sub-chamber is fed beverage by a different feeding line. The arrangement is typically such that each of these sub-chambers opens to a single dispensing outlet of the mixing chamber, which is mutual to all sub-chambers and which, in accordance with one embodiment, is the beverage dispensing outlet of the system. 
         [0013]    The system of the invention typically, although not exclusively, comprises a feeding line for a heated beverage, a feeding line for beverage at ambient temperature and a feeding line for cooled beverage. In accordance with this embodiment each feeding line feeds beverage at its specific temperature to the mixing chamber and therefrom to the dispensing outlet and the amount of liquid fed from each line is adjusted to achieve the desired temperature. In the specific embodiment of such three defined temperatures, the temperature of the dispensed beverage may be adjusted to dispense heated beverage, cooled beverage or in a range of temperatures in between according to the system&#39;s temperature accuracy and taking into account the temperature drop or rise in the beverage as it flows through the feeding lines. In the specific embodiment whereby the beverage is drinking water, the dispensed liquid can be used to prepare a hot beverage such as coffee or tea, may be used to dispense chilled water, water at room temperature, etc. By an example, the heated beverage may be at a temperature in the range of 90-98° C. and the cooled beverage may be at a temperature range of 2-10° C. 
         [0014]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the system includes a heated beverage reservoir, typically a chamber formed at the top of a beverage heating unit. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the system includes a cooled beverage reservoir. Typically, the system includes also a cooling unit and the beverage flows through the cooling unit, cooled thereby, and then into the cooled beverage reservoir. 
         [0015]    In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the system includes also a reservoir for a beverage at ambient (“room”) temperature. Typically, where the beverage is water, this reservoir stores filtered or purified water. By an embodiment of the invention, the heated beverage reservoir and the cold beverage reservoir are fed beverage from the reservoir that stores beverage at ambient temperature. 
         [0016]    In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, one or more pumps for propelling a beverage through said one or more feeding lines may be included in the system for propelling beverage towards the mixing chamber. 
         [0017]    By one embodiment, the system comprises a first pump for propelling heated beverage through the heated beverage feeding line, a second pump for propelling beverage through the ambient temperature beverage feeding line, a third pump for propelling beverage from the ambient temperature reservoir to the cooled beverage reservoir through a liquid cooling unit, and a fourth pump for propelling beverage from the cooled beverage reservoir through the cooled beverage feeding line. The third pump is typically activated automatically to fill the cooled beverage reservoir. For this purpose, the cooled beverage reservoir may include a liquid level sensor that through a closed-circuit control activates the third pump upon emptying of this reservoir. Against this, the first, second and fourth pumps, are automatically activated during liquid dispensing and their pumping rates are adjusted so as to achieve a desired dispensed beverage temperature. The user typically sets a desired temperature for the dispensed beverage, and can then press a certain dispensing activation button or switch, whereupon the respective first, second and fourth pumps are activated to yield a beverage at the desired temperature as set by the user. 
         [0018]    In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a single pump provides a propelling force for more than one feeding line. Typically, in accordance with this embodiment, such a pump&#39;s outlet is linked, through a manifold, to more than one beverage feeding line whereupon the flow rate in each of such feeding lines is then controlled by valves or other flow controlling elements fitted on the individual feeding lines. In accordance with this embodiment, the beverage propelled by the pump may then be heated or cooled to a certain fixed temperature by appropriate elements fitted on the different feeding lines. By one example, such a centralized pump is in flow communication with an outlet of an ambient temperature beverage reservoir and being configured to draw beverage from the reservoir and propel it, through a manifold system, to each of three feeding lines: an ambient temperature feeding line, a hot beverage feeding line which includes a heating arrangement for heating the beverage channeled into this line, and a cooled beverage feeding line which includes a cooling element for cooling the beverage channeled therethrough. While, by one embodiment, the cooled beverage feeding line may include an inline cooling system that cools the beverage as it flows through this feeding line on its way to the dispensing outlet, in accordance with one embodiment a cooled liquid reservoir is included and the beverage, cooled by the cooling element, is stored within the cooled beverage reservoir and can be drawn therefrom on demand. In accordance with this embodiment, an auxiliary pump is provided that is configured for drawing liquid from the cooled beverage reservoir and propelling it to the mixing chamber. 
         [0019]    Also provided, by another aspect of the invention, is a beverage dispenser, particularly a dispenser for drinking water that comprises a system of the kind defined and disclosed herein. 
         [0020]    As will be appreciated by the reader, an advantage of the invention is the fact that the temperature of the dispensed beverage is not limited to certain discreet values, typically pre-set through the system&#39;s characteristics as in existing beverage dispensers, but rather the user has a large flexibility for setting the temperature according to his liking and need. Also, unlike beverage dispensers that dispense beverage at different temperatures from different dispensing outlets, including for example a hot beverage outlet and a cooled beverage outlet, in accordance with the invention there is a single outlet that dispenses beverage at a desired temperature. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a water dispenser which includes a water dispensing system in, accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 2A-2D  are, respectively, a bottom view, side view, horizontal cross-sectional view along line  2 C- 2 C in  FIG. 2B  and a vertical cross-sectional view through line  2 D- 2 D in  FIG. 2A , of a mixing chamber with its integral dispensing outlet, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are schematic illustrations of two embodiments of a flow system in accordance with the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3C  is a schematic illustration of the control unit according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 4A-4D  show, respectively, front view, left side view, right side view and rear view of the water flow system elements of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    In the following description the invention will be illustrated with reference to a water dispenser, namely a dispenser and system where the beverage is water. Accordingly, reference in the description below will be made to “water reservoir”, “hot water feeding line”, “cold water feeding line”, etc. It should be noted, however, that the specific reference which is made to a water dispenser is intended for purposes of illustration and is not intended to be limiting in any way. Rather, the general teaching of the invention may be applicable, at times with some modifications, for different kinds of beverages, for example, for milk, flavored beverages, etc. 
         [0028]    Reference is first being made to  FIG. 1  showing a water dispenser  100 , typically designed for home use, which includes a water container  102 , a hinged lid  104  that covers the container, a user accessible control consul  106 , a water dispensing outlet  108 , a tray element  110  and a housing  112 . This water dispenser includes a water filtration system which is disclosed and claimed in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/IL2012/050038. Briefly, without going into details, source water, typically tap water, is introduced into a container  102  and is then filtered through the system and collected in an ambient temperature water reservoir, that will be described below. 
         [0029]    Reference is now being made to  FIGS. 2A to 2D  showing a mixing chamber  120  which is integrally formed with the water dispensing outlet  108 . The mixing chamber is fitted with two side lugs  122  which serve to fix it to the device. The chamber includes three water inlets  124 - 128 , each of which is connected to one of three feeding lines—a cooled water feeding line, an ambient temperature water feeding line, and a heated water feeding line, respectively. 
         [0030]    The mixing chamber is fitted with a “Y”-shaped divider  130  which divides the mixing chamber into three sub-chambers  134 ,  136  and  138 , each of which opening to one of the inlets  124 ,  126  and  128  and thereby receive the respective fed water from these inlets. The sub-chambers are drained into the mutual water dispensing outlet  108  and at the outlet the water coming from the different feeding lines is thus mixed to achieve a desired, set temperature, as will be further illustrated below. 
         [0031]    The embodiments illustrated schematically in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , show two possible configurations of the system of the invention. In each of these configurations, the system includes three flow lines: a cooled water flow line, an ambient temperature water flow line, and a heated water flow line. Referring first to  FIG. 3A , water, typically filtered water is fed through  302  into an ambient temperature water reservoir  304 . Fitted at the outlet  306  of reservoir  304  is a pump  308  that propels the water into the feeding lines as will be described below. 
         [0032]    Included are three feeding lines including cooled water feed line  320 , ambient temperature feeding line  330 , and heated water feeding line  340 . Fitted in each feeding line are respective valving or flow control arrangements  322 ,  332  and  342 , linked to the pump through a manifold arrangement  310 . Through control of valves or flow regulators  322 ,  332  and  342 , the rate of flow in each of the respective feeding lines is controlled. 
         [0033]    The cooled water feeding line includes a cooling unit  324 , which may, for example, be a Peltier-based unit of the kind disclosed in WO2011/030339, the relevant content of which being incorporated herein by reference. Cooled water is then collected and stored in cooled water reservoirs  326 . Pump  308  and valving arrangement  322  cooperate so as to continuously fill reservoir  326  with cooling water. The cooled water reservoir  326  as well as the ambient temperature water reservoir  304  may be fitted with a water level indicator of the kind disclosed in PCT Application Serial No. PCT/IL2011/050085. 
         [0034]    Feeding line  320  includes also a pump  328  which is configured to draw cooled water from reservoir  326  and feed it into mixing chamber  120  which is linked to dispensing outlet  108 . 
         [0035]    Hot water feeding line includes a heating unit  344  and a hot water reservoir  346 , typically forming part of the heating unit. A heating unit of this kind is disclosed in PCT publication no. WO2011/114327. 
         [0036]    Thus, by this configuration, the pump  308  provides the driving force that propels liquid from reservoir  304  to mixing chamber  120 , and from there to dispensing outlet  108  while flow regulators  322 ,  332  and  342  regulate their relative flow in each of its respective feeding lines to achieve a certain desired temperature as set by the user. An example of such a regulator is a proportional electric valve, although the invention is not limited thereto. 
         [0037]    An embodiment with an alternative configuration is shown in  FIG. 3B . Components having the same function as those of  FIG. 3A  have been given like reference numerals and the reader is referred to the description of these components above to understand their function. 
         [0038]    The main difference is that in this embodiment, rather than controlling flow in the three flow systems through a flow regulator, each of the flow systems  320 ,  330  and  340  is provided with its own respective pump,  352 ,  354  and  356 . Each of the pumps is linked to reservoir  304 , either directly as shown schematically in  FIG. 3B , or, alternatively, through a manifold arrangement linked to a single outlet of the reservoir. 
         [0039]    A control unit operable in a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, of the kind illustrated in Fig. A, is shown in  FIG. 3C . A controller  500  is linked to a control consul  106  which includes an actuation button or switch  504  that permits a user to activate the water dispensing action and a temperature control module  502  permitting the user to set a desired temperature for the dispensed water. The controller is linked and is operable to activate the central pump  308 , to induce dispensing of water out of the dispensing outlet. The controller is also linked to a variety of sensing elements, including temperature sensors  410 ,  416  and  512 , water levels sensors  412 ,  418  and  514  and is also operable to activate the three flow control elements  322 ,  332  and  342  as well as auxiliary pump  328 . In addition, the controller is also operable to control the activity of the cooling unit  324  and the heating unit  344  as well as the overflow valve  414 . 
         [0040]    Reference is now being made to  FIGS. 4A-4D , which show a system of the invention having a configuration of the kind shown schematically in  FIG. 3A . Accordingly, like reference numerals were used in  FIGS. 4A-4D  to relate to components having the same function as those of  FIG. 3A . 
         [0041]    As can be seen particularly in  FIGS. 4A-4C , fitted at the bottom of the system is an ambient temperature water reservoir  304 , having an inlet  302 , which is linked to a water filtration system, not shown, and which is disclosed in the aforementioned PCT Application PCT/IL2012/050038. Reservoir  304  has a temperature sensor  410  and has an associated water level sensor  412 , the latter being linked to the filtration system to ensure filling of a reservoir and avoid overfilling. This is achieved through control of flow regulator  414 , in a manner as described in aforementioned PCT Application Serial No. PCT/1L2011/050085. 
         [0042]    Linked to outlet  306  of reservoir  304 , is a pump  308  which is linked through tubing  420  to a manifold arrangement  310  feeding water to flow control elements  322 ,  332  and  342 , fitted on the cooled water feeding line, the ambient temperature water feeding line, and the heated water feeding line, respectively. 
         [0043]    In the cooled water feeding line, water flows from flow regulator  322  to the Peltier-based cooling unit, configured in accordance with the disclosure in WO2011/030339, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Other elements of the cooling arrangement include radiator  426  and pump  424 , for circulating a heat absorbing liquid from element  324  to radiator  426  for hit dissipation through tubing  422 . 
         [0044]    Water cooled by cooling element  324  is then collected in cooled water reservoir  326  having an associated temperature sensor  416  and a water level indicator  418  of the kind noted below. The cooled water feeding line includes also a pump  328  which draws cooled water out of reservoir  326  and feeds it to the mixing chamber  120 . 
         [0045]    Heated water feeding line includes a heating element  344  and an associated heated water reservoir  346 , of the kind noted below.