Patent Publication Number: US-8991652-B2

Title: Water cooler apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to fluid dispensers and in particular to fluid dispensers having a refrigerated reservoir. 
     The invention has been developed primarily for use as a water cooler and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. 
     It is an object of the invention in its preferred form to provide a water cooler, wherein temperature of dispensed water is configurable across a range of temperatures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid dispensing assembly for providing a configurable fluid temperature, the fluid dispensing assembly comprising:
         an adjustment interface;   a mixing valve having a plurality of fluid ingress apertures and at least one fluid egress aperture; the mixing valve being adjustable to dispense fluid at a configurable temperature; and   a dispenser element, in fluid communication with the at least on egress aperture of the mixing valve and adapted to selectively dispense water there from.       

     Preferably, the plurality of ingress apertures are in fluid communication with a reservoir containing a single body of fluid. Most preferably, the fluid is supplied to the mixing valve under the influence of gravity. Most preferably, the received fluid from both the first portion and the second portion is at substantially the same pressure. 
     Alternatively, the fluid is supplied to the mixing valve under the influence of one or more pumps. Preferably, a pump is operatively associated with supplying water to each of the plurality of fluid ingress apertures. 
     Preferably, fluid dispensing assembly is used in combination with a fluid dispensing apparatus substantially as herein described. 
     According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid dispensing apparatus comprising:
         a cooling element;   a main reservoir for storing fluid, wherein the reservoir includes a first portion for storing fluid at a substantially ambient temperature; wherein the main reservoir includes a second portion for storing chilled fluid, the second portion being operatively associated with the cooling element;   a fluid dispensing assembly adapted to receive fluid from both the first portion and the second portion of the second reservoir at a settable ratio, thereby enabling fluid to be dispensed at a configurable temperature.       

     According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid dispensing apparatus comprising:
         a cooling element;   a first reservoir portion for storing fluid at a substantially ambient temperature;   a second reservoir portion for storing chilled fluid, the second portion being operatively associated with the cooling element;   a fluid dispensing assembly adapted to receive fluid from both the first portion and the second portion of the second reservoir at a settable ratio, thereby enabling fluid to be dispensed at a configurable temperature.       

     Preferably, a fluid dispensing apparatus can further comprise:
         a preliminary reservoir for receiving fluid;   a filter in fluid communication with the preliminary reservoir and main reservoir, and the filter being adapted supplying filtered fluid to the main reservoir.       

     Preferably, the fluid dispensing assembly is located, in use, below the level of water contained in the main reservoir. More preferably, the fluid is supplied to the fluid dispensing assembly under the influence of gravity. Most preferably, the received fluid from both the first portion and the second portion is at substantially the same pressure. 
     Alternatively, the fluid is supplied to the fluid dispensing assembly under the influence of one or more pumps. Preferably, a pump is respectively operatively associated with supplying fluid from each of the first reservoir portion and the second reservoir portion to the fluid dispensing assembly. 
     The first reservoir portion and the second reservoir portion are preferably separate reservoirs. More preferably, the first reservoir portion and the second reservoir portion can be respectively stacked. 
     Preferably, the fluid is water. 
     According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a water level control assembly for restricting flow from the upper tank to a lower tank in response to water level in the lower tank. This water level control assembly comprises: a float housing defining a lower extent and an upper extent; and a float. 
     Preferably, the float housing includes one or more lower drain apertures for enabling fluid flow communication between the float housing and lower tank. More preferably the float housing includes one or more upper aperture for enabling fluid flow communication between the upper tank and float housing. 
     Preferably, the float includes a seal element for sealingly engaging an upper aperture for restricting fluid flow from the upper tank to the float housing. 
     Preferably, a release valve is operatively associated with the lower tank for releasing water there from. 
     Preferably, the water level control assembly can be included between the first portion (or chamber) and second portion (or cooling chamber) of a water dispensing apparatus as described herein. 
     According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of water level control for restricting flow from the upper tank to a lower tank in response to water level in the lower tank, comprising the steps of:
         adding water to the upper tank;   enabling water to enter a float housing via an upper aperture, flow around a float and though a lower apertures into lower tank, thereby enabling filling of the lower tank;   water continues to enter the upper tank, filling the lower tank;   once the lower tank becomes full further water flow raises the float, enabling the a float seal to sealingly engage the upper aperture;   releasing water from the lower tank;   water released from the lower tank enables the float to lower, allowing water to again pass from the upper tank though the float housing to the lower tank.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment water dispensing apparatus according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the water dispensing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional side view of the water dispensing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective front view of a water dispensing assembly according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective rear view of the water dispensing assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partially sectioned perspective view of the water dispensing assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the water dispensing assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional front elevation of the water dispensing assembly of  FIG. 4 , taken along line  8 - 8 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional side elevation of the water dispensing assembly of  FIG. 4 , taken along line  9 - 9 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective front view of a water dispensing assembly according to the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view of a float assembly for a water dispensing assembly according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 12A  though  12 G are sectional views of a float assembly of  FIG. 11 , shown receiving and dispensing water. 
     
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3  show an embodiment water dispensing apparatus  100 , which can dispense a combination of chilled and ambient temperature water. The apparatus is adapted to provide a configurable water temperature across a range of temperatures. 
     By way of example, a water dispensing apparatus can include:
         a first reservoir  110  for receiving water therein (typically unfiltered water);   a filter  120  in fluid communication with the first reservoir;   a cooling element  130 ;   a second reservoir  140  in fluid communication with the filter, and adapted to receive and storing filtered water, the second reservoir includes a first portion (or chamber) for storing filtered water at a substantially ambient temperature; the second reservoir includes a second portion (or chamber) operatively associated with the cooling element for storing chilled filtered water;   a water dispensing assembly  150  adapted to receive water from both the first portion and the second portion of the second reservoir at a settable ratio, thereby to dispense water at a configurable temperature.       

     In this example, the water is gravity fed through a filter  120  to remove harmful chemicals and bacteria from the water. The water then enters the second reservoir  140 , preferably filling the first portion (or chamber)  142  and second portion (or cooling chamber)  144 . The cooling chamber is a vessel constructed to hold water. By way of example only, this cooling chamber is a tube of a metal (preferably stainless steel) or a plastic. This cooling chamber can holds approximately one litre of water. The first portion (or chamber)  142  a also vessel constructed to hold water. By way of example only, the first portion can include a Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN), plastic or glass holding tank. This first portion can hold approximately six litres of filtered water at substantially ambient temperature. It will be appreciated that both the cooling chamber and the first portion can be adapted to hold a larger or smaller volume of water. It will be further appreciated that the cooling chamber and the first portion can be constructed of alternative (preferably food grade) materials. 
     By way of example, a cooling element  130 , in the form of a thermoelectric effect “peltier” element can be operatively associated with the second portion (or cooling chamber)  144 , for cooling the filtered water. Alternatively, another cooling element such as refrigerated cooling element and the like can be used. A cooling fan  132  can also be included to assist in dissipating heat. The second portion cooling chamber can also be insulated to assist in limiting heat transfer. 
     By way of example only, a water dispensing assembly  150  is adapted to receive water from both the first portion and the second portion of the second reservoir at a user settable mix ratio, thereby to dispense water at a configurable temperature between ambient water temperature and chilled water temperature. The dispensed water temperature is configured by mixing water from the first portion holding tank (in which the water is at ambient temperature) and water from the second portion cooling chamber which is chilled. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment water dispensing assembly  150  can include an adjustment interface  152  coupled to a mixing valve  154  for setting a mixing ratio of ambient temperature water received though an ambient water aperture  155  and chilled water received though an chilled water aperture  156 , thereby to configure the temperature of dispensed water. A dispenser element  158  is in fluid communication with the valve, and includes a stop for enabling dispensing of water at a configurable temperature. 
     It would be appreciated that, for dispensing water under gravity, the dispenser element is preferably located below the water level  160  held in the second reservoir  140 . Preferably, the chilled water aperture is further located proximal to a base of the second portion cooling chamber, being a typically location of cooler water. 
     In this example, the adjustment interface  152  is in the form of a mechanical slider that is mechanically coupled to the mixing valve  154 . Alternatively, the adjustment interface can include a rotating dial (for example, as shown in  FIG. 10 ), pushbuttons or even an electronic interface. In alternative embodiments, the adjustment interface can be an electronic adjustment interface having inputs to set a temperature. In further alternative embodiments, the adjustment interface can be electronically coupled to the mixing valve. 
     It will be appreciated that other means of receive water from both the first portion and the second portion of the second reservoir at a settable ratio can be employed. By way of example, a water dispensing assembly can comprise any assembly adapted to selectively set relative ingress fluid flow from two or more fluid ingress paths in providing at least one fluid egress path. 
     By way of a further example embodiment, a water dispensing apparatus can include:
         a cooling element  130 ;   a first reservoir portion for storing water at a substantially ambient temperature;   a second reservoir portion for storing chilled water, the second portion being operatively associated with the cooling element;   a water dispensing assembly  150  adapted to receive water from both the first portion and the second portion of the second reservoir at a settable ratio, thereby to dispense water at a configurable temperature.       

     In this embodiment, the fluid can be supplied to the fluid dispensing assembly under the influence of one or more pumps (not shown). A pump can be operatively associated with supplying water from the first reservoir portion and/or the second reservoir portion to the fluid dispensing assembly. 
     It will be appreciated that, by way of example only, a first reservoir portion and the second reservoir portion can define separate reservoirs. In this example, the first reservoir portion and/or the second reservoir portion can be positioned independently of each other, or stacked. 
     It will also be appreciated that a reservoir, and/or a reservoir portion, can comprise a removable vessel, such as a water bottle. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  though  FIG. 9 , an embodiment water dispensing assembly  400  includes:
         an adjustment interface  410 ;   a mixing valve  420  having a plurality of ingress apertures and at least one egress aperture; and   a dispenser element  430 , in fluid communication with the at least on egress aperture of the mixing valve.       

     The mixing valve is coupleable to the adjustment interface for adjusting dispensed water to configured temperature. The dispenser element is adapted to selectively dispense water there from. 
     In this example, the adjustment interface  410  comprises a slider element  412  located within a guide  414 , which is mechanically coupled to the mixing valve  420  by a linkage element  416 . The slider has a slotted aperture  417  for receiving one end of the linkage element  418 . The other end  419  of the linkage element is releasablly fixed to an actuator  422  of the mixing valve  420 , such that relative rotation of the linkage element  416  with respect to the mixing valve  420  sets a mixing ratio of ambient temperature water received though an ambient water aperture  424  and chilled water received though an chilled water aperture  426 . It will be appreciated that the slotted aperture  417  is adapted to accommodate the arc swept by the end of the linkage element  418  during rotation for setting the mixing ratio. 
     In an embodiment, the mixing valve  420  includes a movable blade (or diaphragm)  428  for selectively blocking part of, or all of, the ambient water aperture  424  and/or chilled water aperture  426 . In this example the blade is pivotally movable within the mixing valve and fixedly coupled to the actuator  422 . It will be appreciated that other means of mixing can be used, and in particular a mixing valve can comprise any assembly adapted to selectively set relative ingress fluid flow from two or more fluid ingress paths in providing at least one fluid egress path. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 6 , with the mixing ratio of ambient temperature water and chilled water set, a dispenser element  430  including a dispenser paddle  432  can be pressed to release a stop  434 , thereby enabling dispensing of water under the influence of gravity. A spring  436  can be provided to bias the dispenser element toward returning the dispenser paddle  432  and the stop  434  to a normally closed position. 
     It will be appreciated that, when the stop  434  is released, a selected flow of ambient water flows from the aperture  424  past the valve blade  428  and to the dispenser element  430  and out the dispensing aperture  438 . Similarly, a selected flow of chilled water flows from the aperture  426  past the valve blade  428  and to the dispenser element  430  and out the dispensing aperture  438 . In this example, the ambient temperature water and the chilled water mix within the mixing valve  420 . It will be appreciated that the ambient temperature water and the chilled water mix external the mixing valve  420 . The temperature of dispensed water is configurable across a range of temperatures by selecting the relative ratio of ambient temperature water and chilled water used. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , an embodiment water dispensing assembly  1000  includes:
         an adjustment interface  1010 ;   a mixing valve  1020  having a plurality of ingress apertures and at least one egress aperture; and   a dispenser element  430 , in fluid communication with the at least on egress aperture of the mixing valve.       

     The mixing valve is coupleable to the adjustment interface for adjusting dispensed water to configured temperature. The dispenser element is adapted to selectively dispense water there from. 
     In this example, the adjustment interface  1010  comprises a rotary dial  1012  mechanically coupled to the mixing valve  1020  by an actuator  1022  of the mixing valve  1020 , such that rotation of the rotary dial  1012  with respect to the mixing valve  1020  sets a mixing ratio of ambient temperature water received though an ambient water aperture  424  and chilled water received though an chilled water aperture  426 . 
     In an embodiment, the mixing valve  1020  includes a movable blade (or diaphragm) for selectively blocking part of, or all of, the ambient water aperture  424  and/or chilled water aperture  426 . In this example the blade is pivotally movable within the mixing valve and fixedly coupled to the actuator  1022 . 
     It will be appreciated that, in this embodiment, both the ambient water and the chilled water are delivered from a common body of water contained within a reservoir. By way of example, this reservoir includes a first portion (or chamber) for storing water at a substantially ambient temperature and a second portion (or chamber) operatively associated with the cooling element for storing chilled filtered water. The first portion and the second portion being in fluid communication. In this embodiment, by having the mixing valve and dispenser element below the level of water in the reservoir enables the ambient water and the chilled water to be supplied under gravity at substantially the same pressure. 
     In an alternative embodiment, ambient temperature water and chilled water can be provided from separate reservoirs. By maintaining the water level of the separate reservoirs at similar levels, a similar water pressure may be maintained. The separate reservoirs can be in temporary fluid communication for maintaining or establishing a substantially similar water level. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the water is supplied to the water dispensing assembly  400  under the influence of one ore more pumps (not shown). In this example embodiment, the one ore more pumps can be operatively associated with the ambient water aperture  424  and/or the chilled water aperture  426 . 
       FIG. 11  shows an example embodiment water level control assembly  1100  for restricting fluid flow between reservoirs. The assembly  1100  can be used to restrict flow from the upper tank  1110  to a lower tank  1120 , and/or operate in maintaining water levels in the lower tank. 
     This water level control assembly  1100  can comprise: a float housing  1130  defining a upper extent  1132  and an lower extent  1134 ; and a float  1136 . The float housing having one or more lower drain apertures  1138  for enabling fluid flow communication between the float housing and lower tank. The float having a seal element  1140  for sealingly engaging an upper aperture  1142  in the upper tank for restricting fluid flow from the upper tank to the float housing. A release valve  1160  can be operatively associated with the lower tank to releasing water there from via a fluid conduit  1162 . A housing seal  1170  can locate and seal the housing between one or both of the upper tank and lower tank. 
     This water level control assembly  1100  can be included between the first portion (or chamber)  142  and second portion (or cooling chamber)  144  of a water dispensing apparatus (for example apparatus  100  best shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 12A  though  FIG. 12G , operation of a water level control assembly  1100  can comprise:
         FIG.  12 A—as water  1210  is first added to the upper tank, the float rests on the lower extent of the float housing;   FIG.  12 B—as water enters float housing via an upper aperture, flowing around the float and though the lower apertures into lower tank, thereby enabling filling the lower tank;   FIG.  12 C—as water continues to enter the upper tank, filling the lower tank, once the lower tank becomes filled further water flow raises the float, enabling the float seal to engage the upper aperture to create a sealing engagement;   FIG.  12 D—release valve can be opened to release water from the lower tank;   FIG.  12 E—water released from the lower tank enables the float to lower, allowing water to pass from the upper tank though the float housing to the lower tank;   FIG.  12 F—when the release valve closes, water level in the lower tank can rise, eventually filling the lower tank and causing the float to rise;     FIG. 12  G—when the lower tank is full, the float can again rise to cause sealing engagement between the float seal and upper aperture, thereby again restricting water flow, thereby restricting water flow from the upper tank to the lower tank.       

     It will be appreciated that the disclosed water dispensing apparatus provides a method of dispensing water at a configurable temperature. By mixing the water from a cooling chamber with the water from the storage tank (which is typically at room temperature), a user can adjust dispensed water temperature to their desired setting. 
     It will be appreciated that the illustrated water cooler apparatus has a configurable temperature set. It will be further appreciated that the illustrated water dispensing assembly when used with a water cooler apparatus enables a configurable temperature set. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. 
     In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. 
     Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. 
     As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. 
     Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. 
     Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. 
     Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention. 
     In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. 
     Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.