Patent Publication Number: US-11377337-B2

Title: Bottle filler fountain

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/986,158 filed Mar. 6, 2020. This application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a liquid dispenser station, and more particularly, to a bottle filing station for dispensing liquid based on detection of a presence of a bottle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Existing liquid dispensers have many known issues that need improvements. For example, existing liquid dispensers typically lack a simplified, secured mechanism to engage drinking fountains to a wall. Existing bottle filling stations need an improved mechanism for detecting presence of a bottle. Existing drinking fountains and existing bottle filling stations lack a simplified, modular design for assembly purposes. 
     Some existing liquid dispenser stations demand a filter to be disposed in a liquid flow circuit. The filter is always provided with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag detectable by a sensor. Absent the filter, these liquid dispenser stations do not operate. As such, there is a need for a non-filtering bypass mechanism that provides support for continuous liquid flow in the absence of the filter. Further, when the filter operates in the liquid flow circuit, there is an additional need for a mechanism to track the filter usage. Various embodiments of the disclosed technology address these needs. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide systems, devices, and methods to meet the above-stated needs. The disclosed technology relates to an example liquid dispenser station. The example liquid dispenser station may include a top mounting bracket that defines a first height and a plurality of first holes. The top mounting bracket may include at least one top flange. A bottom mounting bracket may define a second height and a plurality of second holes. The bottom mounting bracket may include at least one bottom flange. The second height may be different from the first height. A drinking fountain may be configured to be secured to a wall by the top flange and the bottom flange. 
     In one embodiment, the first height may be less than the second height. In one embodiment, the top mounting bracket may include three top flanges, and the bottom mounting bracket may include three bottom flanges. 
     Another aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a bottle filling station. The bottle filling station may include a liquid dispenser configured to dispense liquid, and a pan configured to collect at least a portion of the dispensed liquid. The bottle filling station may include a sensor configured to detect a presence of a liquid container. The sensor may define a height of approximately 9.25 inches relative to the pan. A controller may control the liquid dispenser to dispense liquid when the liquid container is approximately near the sensor. 
     In one embodiment, the pan may be positioned below the liquid dispenser. In one embodiment, the bottle filing station may include a cooling system located below the liquid dispenser. In one embodiment, the pan may include a stainless-steel basin. In one embodiment, the cooling system may include three raised arcs to support the liquid container when at rest, and direct spilled water into the basin. 
     In one embodiment, the sensor may include an infrared (IR) sensor for detecting the presence of the liquid container. In one embodiment, the IR sensor may include at least one of an IR photodiode, an IR light emitting diode (LED), and associated electrical circuitry for receiving IR signals from the IR photodiode and transmitting light from the IR LED. In one embodiment, the IR sensor may detect the presence of the liquid container by performing the following: (1) receiving a first, environmental IR signal from the IR photodiode while the IR LED is not transmitting light; (2) receiving a second, detection signal from the IR photodiode while the IR LED is transmitting light, and (3) comparing an intensity of the first, environmental IR signal to an intensity of the second, detection signal to determine whether the second, detection signal is emitted from the environment or is reflected from the liquid container. 
     In one embodiment, the bottle filing station may include a non-transitory storage medium configured to store a sensitivity level. In one embodiment, the sensitivity level may be manually set via a setting menu to a value between 1 and 10. In one embodiment, the sensor may detect the presence of the liquid container based on a first difference between the intensity of the first, environmental IR signal and the intensity of the second, detection signal when the sensitivity level has a first value. The sensor may detect the presence of the liquid container based on a second difference between the intensity of the first, environmental IR signal and the intensity of the second, detection signal when the sensitivity level has a second value. The first value may be less than the second value. The first difference may be less than the second difference. 
     In one embodiment, once the liquid container is detected, the sensor may not change a detection result even if the liquid container moves within a sight of the sensor such that the liquid container is still positioned to reflect the IR signal transmitted from the IR LED with a sufficient intensity. 
     In one embodiment, the sensor may complete detection of the liquid container within one second from a moment that the liquid container becomes present. In one embodiment, the sensor may repeatedly perform detection. 
     In one embodiment, the controller may be configured to continuously generate a zero-level signal value corresponding to a clear field of view. The controller may calculate the zero-level signal value from multiple readings of the sensor. In one embodiment, the controller may open and close a bottle filling water valve based on the detection by the sensor. 
     In one embodiment, the bottle filling station may include an LED activated to illuminate a bottle filling area, when the bottle filling water valve is open. 
     In one embodiment, the bottle filling station may include a counter configured to track and display a number of theoretical bottles saved from being landfilled by refilling at the bottle filling station. In one embodiment, the counter may be based on quantity of liquid that flows through the bottle filling station. In one embodiment, the counter may increment when every 16 oz of liquid has flowed through the bottle filling station. 
     In one embodiment, the bottle filling station may include a filter where the liquid to be dispensed passes therethrough. In one embodiment, the bottle filling station may include a filter status light indicating a status of the filter. 
     In one embodiment, the bottle filing station may include a bottle filling area illustrating a bottle and a bullseye type target where the sensor is positioned. 
     A further aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a modular assembly of a drinking fountain. The modular assembly may include a first preassembled module including a cooling system, and a second preassembled module including a pan assembly. The first module and the second module may include a first attachment and a second attachment respectively for coupling to each other during installation. During installation, the first and second modules may be readily secured to the wall. 
     In one embodiment, the cooling system may include a stain steel container. In one embodiment, the cooling system may be positioned below the pan assembly when installed. The pan assembly may include a hood. The hood may include a semi-pliant material deformable on contact. 
     In one embodiment, the pan assembly may include a stainless-steel basin. In one embodiment, the pan assembly may define a flat sloping pan shape. In one embodiment, the pan assembly may comprise a drain. 
     An additional aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a modular assembly of a bottle filling station. The modular assembly may include a first preassembled module including a cooling system, and a second preassembled module including an assembly having a pan and a bottle filler. The first module and the second module may include a first attachment and a second attachment respectively for coupling to each other during installation. During installation, the first and second modules may be readily secured to the wall. 
     Yet another aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a liquid dispenser station. The liquid dispenser station may include a liquid flow circuit, and a non-filtering bypass cap disposed in the liquid flow circuit at a filter&#39;s position when the filter is removed. The non-filtering bypass cap may have a physical dimension identical to that of the filter. The non-filtering bypass cap may be removably attached to the liquid flow circuit via a thread engagement. The non-filtering bypass cap may be configured to allow liquid to flow therethrough. 
     In one embodiment, the non-filtering bypass cap is devoid of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. 
     A further aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a liquid dispenser station. The liquid dispenser station may include a DC power supply, a pan coupled to a first liquid dispenser powered by the DC power supply to dispense liquid, and a bottle filler coupled to a second liquid dispenser powered by the DC power supply to dispense liquid. 
     An additional aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a liquid dispenser station. The liquid dispenser station may include a liquid dispenser for dispensing liquid, a filter sensor and a flow trigger. The filter sensor may be in fluid communication with the liquid dispenser. The filter sensor may be configured to track an amount of the liquid that has passed through a filter. The flow trigger may activate the liquid dispenser to dispense the liquid and indicate a usage of the filter. 
     In one embodiment, the flow trigger may have at least one of the following configurations: a bumper button, a push bar, and a valve button. In one embodiment, the flow trigger may include a filter meter displaying the usage of the filter. In one embodiment, the flow trigger may include an LCD display that uses five colors to indicate the usage of the filter. In one embodiment, the filter may be configured to remove or reduce at least one of the following: chlorine, odors, lead and cysts. In one embodiment, the filter may be NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 complaint. In one embodiment, the filter may have a unique threading engagement. In one embodiment, the filter may be configured to perform a maximum of 3000-gallon filter cycles. In one embodiment, the usage of the filter may be determined based on a length of time of using the filter. In one embodiment, the filter may have a usage life term of 90 days. 
     Another aspect of the disclosed technology relates to a method for detecting a presence of a liquid container by a bottle filling station. The method may include receiving a first, environmental IR signal from an IR photodiode disposed on the bottle filling station, while an IR LED disposed on the bottle filling station is not transmitting light. A second, detection signal may be received from the IR photodiode while the IR LED is transmitting light. A controller of the bottle filling station may compare an intensity of the first, environmental IR signal to an intensity of the second, detection signal to determine whether the second, detection signal is emitted from the environment or is reflected from a bottle. The controller may determine a presence of the bottle after determining that the second, detection signal is reflected from the bottle. The controller may control a liquid dispenser of the bottle filling station to dispense liquid after determining the presence of the bottle. 
     Various aspects of the described example embodiments may be combined with aspects of certain other example embodiments to realize yet further embodiments. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one example may be combined with one or more features of the other example. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in any example or examples may constitute patentable subject matter. Other features of the technology will be apparent from consideration of the information contained in the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and further aspects of this invention are further discussed with reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles of the invention. The figures depict one or more implementations of the inventive devices, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of an example bottle filling station according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the example bottle filling station of  FIG. 1  according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an example liquid dispenser station according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of a top mounting bracket according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4B and 4D  illustrate side views of the top mounting bracket of  FIG. 4A  according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates a front side view of the top mounting bracket of  FIG. 4A  according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4E  illustrates a bottom view of the top mounting bracket of  FIG. 4A  according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4F  illustrates a back side view of the top mounting bracket of  FIG. 4A  according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4G  illustrates a perspective view of the top mounting bracket of  FIG. 4A  according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a top view of a bottom mounting bracket according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a side view of the bottom mounting bracket of  FIG. 5A  according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5C and 5D  illustrate a front view of a bottom mounting bracket according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5E  illustrates a perspective view of the bottom mounting bracket of  FIG. 5A  according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a block diagram of a liquid dispenser station according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a block diagram of another liquid dispenser station according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a block diagram of yet another liquid dispenser station according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example implementation of a flow trigger according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating steps for detecting a presence of a liquid container by a bottle filling station according to aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An example bottle filling station or liquid dispenser station  100  is illustrate din  FIG. 1 . The bottle filling station  100  may include a liquid dispenser or bottle filler  110  configured to dispense liquid. A drinking fountain  120  may be disposed below the liquid dispenser  110 . 
     A pan  121  may be configured to collect at least a portion of the dispensed liquid. The pan  121  may be positioned below the liquid dispenser  110 . The pan  121  may include a stainless-steel basin  122 . All plumbing and chilling apparatus may be provided below the basin  122 . 
     A sensor  112  may detect a presence of a liquid container, such as a bottle. The sensor  112  may define a height of approximately  9 . 25  inches relative to the pan  121 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a controller  210  may control the liquid dispenser  110  to dispense liquid when the liquid container is approximately near the sensor  112 . This exemplary sensor height can reduce false-positive indications, which would dispense liquid without a bottle present. This height also forces the user to place the bottle closer to the dispensing spout, improving the aim of the dispensed water stream into the bottle opening, reducing wasted water. 
     A cooling system  130  may be located below the liquid dispenser  110 . The cooling system  130  may include three concentric raised arcs  132  to support the liquid container when at rest, and to act as veins to direct spilled water into the basin  122 . 
     The sensor  112  may include an infrared (IR) sensor for detecting the presence of the liquid container. The IR sensor may include at least one of an IR photodiode, an IR light emitting diode (LED), and associated electrical circuitry for receiving IR signals from the IR photodiode and transmitting light from the IR LED. Control of the IR sensor may be software based. 
     The IR sensor may detect the presence of the liquid container. For example, a first, environmental IR signal may be received from the IR photodiode while the IR LED is not transmitting light. A second, detection signal may be received from the IR photodiode while the IR LED is transmitting light. An intensity of the first, environmental IR signal may be compared to an intensity of the second, detection signal to determine whether the second, detection signal is emitted from the environment or is reflected from the liquid container. The detection process may be completed in less than one second. The detection process may cycle repeatedly. 
     In one embodiment, control of the IR sensor software may not include an automatically adjustable threshold to detect an excessive bottle movement. Detection of the bottle may be binary. If the bottle is detected, and the bottle is moved but the bottle is still positioned to reflect the IR signal transmitted from the IR LED with sufficient intensity, then there may be no change in the bottle detection as a result of the movement. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the bottle filling station  100  may include a non-transitory storage medium  220  configured to store a sensitivity level. The sensitivity level may be manually set via a setting menu to a value between 1 and 10. A value of 1 may indicate highest sensitivity, while a value of 10 may indicate least sensitivity. A more sensitive sensitivity level may result in the bottle filling station  100  determining a bottle is present based on a smaller difference between the compared environmental IR signal intensity and the detection IR signal intensity. In one embodiment, the sensitivity setting may not update automatically. Any adjustments to the sensitivity setting may be performed by a professional during installation or maintenance. An improperly set sensitivity setting may cause the bottle filling station  100  to have unstable operation. 
     The sensor  112  may detect the presence of the liquid container based on a first difference between the intensity of the first, environmental IR signal and the intensity of the second, detection signal when the sensitivity level has a first value. The sensor  112  may detect the presence of the liquid container based on a second difference between the intensity of the first, environmental IR signal and the intensity of the second, detection signal when the sensitivity level has a second value. The first value may be less than the second value. The first difference may be less than the second difference. 
     In one embodiment, once the liquid container is detected, the sensor  112  may not change a detection result even if the liquid container moves within a sight of the sensor  112  such that the liquid container is still positioned to reflect the IR signal transmitted from the IR LED with a sufficient intensity. 
     In one embodiment, the sensor  112  may complete detection of the liquid container within one second from a moment that the liquid container becomes present. 
     In one embodiment, the sensor  112  may repeatedly perform detection. 
     The controller  210  may be configured to continuously generate a zero-level signal value corresponding to a clear field of view for the sensor  112 . The controller  210  may calculate the zero-level signal value from multiple readings of the sensor  112 . 
     The controller  210  may open and close a bottle filling water valve  230  based on the detection by the sensor  112 . 
     An LED  232  may become activated by the controller  210  to illuminate a bottle filling area  140 , when the bottle filling water valve  230  is open. The bottle filling area  140  may illustrate a bottle with shoulders and a neck, a large drop falling into a mouth of the bottle, and a bullseye type target for where the IR beam is transmitted or where the sensor  112  is positioned. 
     A counter  234  may be configured to track and display a number of theoretical bottles saved from being landfilled by refilling at the bottle filling station  100 . The counter  234  may be based on quantity of liquid that flows through the bottle filling station  100 . For example, the counter  234  may increment when every  16  oz of liquid has flowed through the bottle filling station  100 . In another example, the counter  234  may increase after a predetermined amount of time has passed either as the cumulated time liquid is flowing, or just the general passage of time. 
     The bottle filling station  100  may include a filter  236  where the liquid to be dispensed passes therethrough. The filter  236  may be removable. The filter  236  may be disposable and replaceable. The water supply to both the cooling system  130  and the liquid dispenser  110  may pass through the filter  236 . A filter status light  238 ,  940  may indicate a status of the filter  236 . The filter status light  238 ,  940  may begin to flash once the status of the filter  236  drops below a preset threshold. The filter status light  238 ,  940  may include a plurality of LED lights. Each of the plurality of LED lights may correspond to a preset filter status threshold. As the filter  236  reaches each of the individual preset filter status thresholds, the corresponding LED light can at least one of change color, flash, or shut off. 
     The bottle filling station  100  may be assembled by a modular assembly. For example, a first module may include the cooling system  130 . A second module may include an assembly having the pan  121  and the liquid dispenser  110 . The first module and the second module may include a first attachment and a second attachment respectively for coupling to each other during installation. This modular assembly can also allow the three components (cooler, bottle filler and pan assembly) to be assembled prior to installation on the wall. Once the components are assembled, the entire set of components can be mounted at once. This allows the dispenser to be assembled away from the traffic areas where a fountain is typically mounted and just hung. This minimizes the disruption and interference when the dispenser is installed. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another example liquid dispenser station  300 , including a drinking fountain  320 . The drinking fountain  320  may be assembled by a modular assembly. For example, a first module may include a cooling system  330 . A second module may include a pan assembly  321 . The first module and the second module may include a first attachment and a second attachment respectively for coupling to each other during installation. 
     The cooling system  330  may include a stainless steel, lower container  331 . The cooling system  330  may be positioned below the pan assembly  321  when installed. The pan assembly  321  may include a hood  324 . The hood  324  may include a semi-pliant material deformable on contact. The hood  324  may include an anti-microbial material. 
     The lower container  331  may enclose an interior volume, and an access door  119 ,  319 , disposed in the lower container  331 . The access door may have an open position that allows access to the interior volume. A DC power supply  702  powering the bottle filling station  100  and the cooling system  330  may be disposed in the interior volume. 
     Further, the filter  236 , where the liquid to be dispensed passes therethrough, may be disposed in the interior volume. When the access door  119 ,  319  is in the open position, a user can access the DC power supply  702  (see  FIG. 7 ) and the filter  236 . A remainder of the lower container  331  may remain in place while at least one of the DC power supply  702  and the filter  236  is accessed through the access door  119 ,  319 . The lower container  331  may comprise three faces. The access door  119 ,  319  may be disposed in at least one of the three faces. 
     While the lower container  331  can be stainless steel, other examples can from it from high impact polymers. These polymers can withstand impacts without denting and have a surface that is more resistant to paint. Both features help make the dispenser  100 ,  300  more vandal resistant. 
     The pan assembly  321  may include a stainless-steel basin  326 . The pan assembly  321  may define a flat sloping pan shape. The pan assembly  321  may include a drain  328 . 
     Both of the liquid dispenser stations  100 ,  300  may include an access door  119 ,  319 . This door allows access to the interior of the dispenser stations  100 ,  300  to replace the filter  236 , change to programing through the controller  210  and can provide internal access to electrical and plumbing elements. Use of the access door  119 ,  319  replaces the need to remove the entire lower container  331  as is typical in the prior art. 
     Any of the liquid dispenser stations  100 ,  300  may include a mounting mechanism for securely engaging the liquid dispenser station to a wall. The mounting mechanism may include a top mounting bracket  400  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-G . The top mounting bracket  400  may define a first height H 1  and a plurality of first holes  410 . The top mounting bracket  400  may include at least one top flange  412 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A-E , a bottom mounting bracket  500  may define a second height H 2  and a plurality of second holes  510 . The bottom mounting bracket  500  may include at least one bottom flange  512 . The drinking fountain  120 ,  320  may be configured to be secured to a wall by the top flange  412  and the bottom flange  512 . 
     The second height H 2  may be different from the first height H 1 . In one embodiment, the first height H 1  may be less than the second height H 2 . Differential heights H 1 , H 2  between the bottom and top mounting brackets may facilitate an installation process of the drinking fountain  120 ,  320 , to avoid an installer&#39;s back injuries. 
     In one embodiment, the top mounting bracket  400  may include three top flanges  412 , and the bottom mounting bracket  500  may include three bottom flanges  512 . The top flanges  412  may be lined up to the holes and dropped down. The drinking fountain  120 ,  320  may be hanging by the flanges on the mounting bracket. The bottom flanges  412  may be lined up to the holes and dropped down. The drinking fountain  120 ,  320  may be hanging by the flanges on the mounting bracket. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a liquid dispenser station  600 . The liquid dispenser station  600  may include a liquid flow circuit  610 . A non-filtering bypass  620  may be disposed in the liquid flow circuit  610  at or around a filter&#39;s position. A liquid flow circuit  610  take liquid from a source and provides it to the bottle filling station  100 . The source can be municipal or a fixed bottle. When the filter is removed or screwed off the non-filtering bypass  620  can allow liquid to be dispensed without filtering. The bypass  620  can be triggered automatically or require physical intervention by a use to switch it over. 
     In one example, the bypass  620  can be affected with a non-filtering bypass cap  621  that may have a physical dimension identical to that of the filter. Both the filter and non-filtering bypass cap  621  can be engaged by numerous means know in the art. For example, the non-filtering bypass cap  621  may have male/female threads to be screwed into the liquid flow circuit  610 . The non-filtering bypass cap  621  may be removably attached to the liquid flow circuit  610  via a thread engagement  622 . The non-filtering bypass cap  621  may be configured to allow liquid to flow therethrough. The non-filtering bypass cap  621  may replace the filter  236  to allow the liquid to be dispensed to pass therethrough. 
     In one embodiment, the non-filtering bypass cap  621  may be devoid of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates yet another embodiment of a liquid dispenser station  700 . The liquid dispenser station  700  may include a single DC power supply  702 . Both a first liquid dispenser  710  and a second liquid dispenser  720  may be powered by the single DC power supply  702 . A pan may be coupled to the first liquid dispenser  710 . A bottle filler  722  may be coupled to the second liquid dispenser  720 . The DC power supply  702  may step down an AC power supply. The DC power supply  702  can be a step-down transformer, allowing the AC wall current to be converted to low voltage DC to use less power in operation while still powering both liquid dispensers  710 , 720 . 
     In one embodiment, the first liquid dispenser  710  may be a cooling station, and the second liquid dispenser  720  may be a bottle filling station. In one embodiment, the DC power supply  702  may be modular, allowing either of the bottler filling station and the cooling station to be added or removed from the DC power supply  702  without disrupting the power supply to the other. 
     The DC power supply  702 , powering the bottle filling station and cooling station, may be disposed in the interior volume of the lower container  331 . 
     An additional example has the DC power supply  702  and the liquid dispensers  710 , 720  as three separate components. Thus, the same power supply can power the coolers for both the bottle filler and standard fountain, an example of which is the bottle filling station  100 . This modular design allows a user to purchase drinking fountain  320  and then add on the bottle filler  110  and both will use the same power supply, removing the need for a second power source or outlet for the second source. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a further embodiment of a liquid dispenser station  800 . The liquid dispenser station  800  may include a liquid dispenser  810  for dispensing liquid. A filter sensor  820  may be in fluid communication with the liquid dispenser  810 . The filter sensor  820  may be configured to track an amount of the liquid that has passed through a filter  822 . A flow trigger  830  may activate the liquid dispenser  810  to dispense the liquid. The flow trigger  830  may indicate a usage of the filter  822 . In one embodiment, the status of the filter  822  may be determined from a number of times the flow trigger  830  is activated. Here, the liquid dispenser station  800  may be a bottle filling station  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  or a liquid dispenser station  300  without a bottle filler as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the flow trigger  830  may have at least one of the following configurations: a bumper button  930 , a push bar  930 , and a valve button  930 . The flow trigger  830  may include a filter meter  940  or an LCD display  940  displaying the usage of the filter. In one example, the LCD display  940  may use five colors to indicate the usage of the filter  822 . 
     The filter  822  may be configured to remove or reduce at least one of the following: chlorine, odors, lead and cysts. The filter  822  may be NSF/ANSI  42  and  53  complaint. The filter  822  may have a unique threading engagement customized for individual manufactures. The filter  822  may be configured to perform a maximum of 3000-gallon filter cycles. 
     The flow meter  940  or the LCD display may update the usage of the filter based on the time from the installation of a new filter, such as ticking down in increments until the filter is fully expired in a predetermined amount of time. In one embodiment, the usage of the filter  822  may be determined based on a length of time of using the filter. The filter  822  may have a life term of 90 days. 
       FIG. 10  is a flow diagram illustrating an example method  1000  for detecting a presence of a liquid container by the bottle filling station  100 . At  1002 , a first, environmental IR signal may be received from an IR photodiode disposed on the bottle filling station  100 , while an IR LED disposed on the bottle filling station  100  is not transmitting light. At  1004 , a second, detection signal may be received from the IR photodiode while the IR LED is transmitting light. The controller  210  of the bottle filling station  100  may compare an intensity of the first, environmental IR signal to an intensity of the second, detection signal to determine whether the second, detection signal is emitted from the environment or is reflected from a bottle. The controller  210  may determine a presence of the bottle after determining that the second, detection signal is reflected from the bottle. The controller  210  may control the liquid dispenser  110  of the bottle filling station  100  to dispense liquid after determining the presence of the bottle. 
     The descriptions contained herein are examples of embodiments of the invention and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the invention. As described herein, the invention contemplates many variations and modifications of the insertion apparatus. These modifications would be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention relates and are intended to be within the scope of the claims which follow. 
     The below are also aspects of the invention.
     1. A liquid dispenser station comprising:   

     a top mounting bracket defining a first height and defining a plurality of first holes, the top mounting bracket including at least one top flange; 
     a bottom mounting bracket defining a second height and defining a plurality of second holes, the bottom mounting bracket including at least one bottom flange, wherein the second height is different from the first height; and 
     a drinking fountain configured to be secured to a wall by the top flange and the bottom flange.
     2. The liquid dispenser station of aspect 1, wherein the first height is less than the second height.   3. The liquid dispenser station of aspect 1, wherein the top mounting bracket includes three top flanges, and the bottom mounting bracket includes three bottom flanges.   4. A bottle filling station comprising:   

     a liquid dispenser configured to dispense liquid; 
     a pan configured to collect at least a portion of the dispensed liquid; 
     a sensor detecting a presence of a liquid container, the sensor defining a height of approximately 9.25 inches relative to the pan; and 
     a controller controlling the liquid dispenser to dispense liquid when the liquid container is approximately near the sensor.
     5. The bottle filling station of aspect 4, wherein the pan is positioned below the liquid dispenser.   6. The bottle filling station of aspect 4, further comprising a cooling system located below the liquid dispenser.   7. The bottle filling station of aspect 4, wherein the pan includes a stainless-steel basin.   8. The bottle filling station of aspect 7, wherein the cooling system comprises three raised arcs to support the liquid container when at rest, and direct spilled water into the basin.   9. The bottle filling station of aspect 4, further comprising a DC power supply providing power to the bottle filling station.   10. The bottle filling station of aspect 6, further comprising a DC power supply providing power to the bottle filling station and the cooling station.   11. The bottle filling station of aspect 9, wherein the DC power supply steps down an AC power supply.   12. The bottle filling station of aspect 10 wherein the DC power supply is modular, allowing either of the bottler filling station and the cooling station to be added or removed from the DC power supply without disrupting the power supply to the other.   13. The bottle filling station of aspect 4, wherein the sensor completes detection of the liquid container within one second from a moment that the liquid container becomes present.   14. The bottle filling station of aspect 4, wherein the sensor repeatedly performs detection.   15. The bottle filling station of aspect 4, wherein the controller opens and closes a bottle filling water valve based on the detection by the sensor.   16. The bottle filling station of aspect 15, further comprising an LED activated to illuminate a bottle filling area, when the bottle filling water valve is open.   17. The bottle filling station of aspect 6, wherein the cooling station comprises:   

     a lower container enclosing an interior volume, and 
     an access door, disposed in the lower container, comprising an open position that allows access to the interior volume.
     18. The bottle filling station of aspect 17, further comprising:   

     a DC power supply powering the bottle filling station and cooling station, disposed in the interior volume; and 
     a filter where the liquid to be dispensed passes therethrough, disposed in the interior volume; 
     wherein when the access door is in the open position a user can access the DC power supply and the filter, and 
     wherein a remainder of the lower container remains in place while at least one of the DC power supply and the filter is accessed through the access door.
     19. The bottle filling station of aspect 18, wherein the lower container comprises three faces and the access door can be disposed in at least one of the three faces.   20. The bottle filling station of aspect 4, further comprising a filter where the liquid to be dispensed passes therethrough.   21. The bottle filling station of aspect 20, further comprising a filter status light indicating a status of the filter.   22. The bottle filling station of aspect 20, wherein the filter is removable, and   

     further comprising a non-filtering bypass cap that can replace the filter to allow the liquid to be dispensed to pass therethrough.
     23. The bottler filling station of aspect 20, wherein the cooling station further comprises a bubbler having a flow trigger;   

     wherein the status of the filter is determined from a number of times the flow trigger is activated.
     24. The bottle filling station of aspect 21, wherein the filter status light begins to flash once the status of the filter drops below a preset threshold.   25. The bottle filling station of aspect 21, wherein the filter status light comprises a plurality of LED lights,   

     wherein each of the plurality of LED lights corresponds to a preset filter status threshold, and 
     wherein as the filter reaches each of the individual preset filter status thresholds, the corresponding LED light can at least one of change color, flash, or shut off.
     26. A modular assembly of a drinking fountain, comprising:   

     a first module including a cooling system; and 
     a second module including a pan assembly, 
     wherein the first module and the second module include a first attachment and a second attachment respectively for coupling to each other during installation.
     27. The modular assembly of aspect 26, wherein the cooling system comprises a stainless steel container.   28. The modular assembly of aspect 26, wherein the cooling system is positioned below the pan assembly when installed.   29. The modular assembly of aspect 26, wherein the pan assembly includes a hood, and the hood includes a semi-pliant material deformable on contact.   30. The modular assembly of aspect 26, wherein the pan assembly comprises a stainless-steel basin.   31. The modular assembly of aspect 26, wherein the pan assembly defines a flat sloping pan shape.   32. The modular assembly of aspect 26, wherein the pan assembly comprises a drain.   33. A liquid dispenser station comprising:   

     a liquid dispenser for dispensing liquid; 
     a filter sensor, in fluid communication with the liquid dispenser, configured to track an amount of the liquid that has passed through a filter; and 
     a flow trigger activating the liquid dispenser to dispense the liquid, and indicating a usage of the filter.
     34. The liquid dispenser station of aspect 33, wherein the flow trigger has at least one of the following configurations: a bumper button, a push bar, and a valve button.   35. The liquid dispenser station of aspect 33, wherein the flow trigger comprises a filter meter displaying the usage of the filter.   36. The liquid dispenser station of aspect 33, wherein the flow trigger comprises an LCD display that uses five colors to indicate the usage of the filter.   37. The liquid dispenser of aspect 33, wherein the filter has a unique engagement threading.   38. The liquid dispenser of aspect 33, wherein the filter is configured to perform a maximum of 3000-gallon filter cycles.   39. The liquid dispenser of aspect 33, wherein the usage of the filter is determined based on a length of time of using the filter.   40. The liquid dispenser of aspect 33, wherein the filter has a life term of 90 days.   41. A method for detecting a presence of a liquid container by a bottle filling station, comprising:   

     receiving a first, environmental IR signal from an IR photodiode disposed on the bottle filling station, while an IR LED disposed on the bottle filling station is not transmitting light; 
     receiving a second, detection signal from the IR photodiode while the IR LED is transmitting light; 
     comparing, by a controller of the bottle filling station, an intensity of the first, environmental IR signal to an intensity of the second, detection signal to determine whether the second, detection signal is emitted from the environment or is reflected from a bottle; 
     determining, by the controller, a presence of the bottle after determining that the second, detection signal is reflected from the bottle; and 
     controlling, by the controller, a liquid dispenser of the bottle filling station to dispense liquid after determining the presence of the bottle.