Electric resistance heating devices – Heating devices – Tank or container type liquid heater
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-07
2001-07-03
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Electric resistance heating devices
Heating devices
Tank or container type liquid heater
C392S455000, C392S501000, C219S536000, C220S651000, C220S688000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256456
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a plastic hot water heating tank including a system for protecting low temperature materials during accidental dry operation. In particular, the present invention relates to a plastic hot water dispensing tank with heat dissipation plates to ensure the safety and durability of the plastic tank walls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of systems for heating and dispensing hot water is known in the market place. As used herein, “hot water” refers to water at temperatures at or about 190° Fahrenheit (88° Celsius), but below the boiling point of water (212° Fahrenheit/100° Celsius). Water at this high temperature can be made available at a dedicated faucet for users needing hot water to make, for example, coffee, tea, or cocoa. A typical preexisting, system heats water in a relatively small tank that is situated below the sink on which the dedicated faucet is mounted. The tank may have a capacity of ⅓ or ½ gallons (1.3 or 1.9 liters). Such tanks are usually divided into two chambers, a main chamber and an expansion chamber. Water is heated electrically in the main chamber. The expansion chamber is contiguous with the main chamber and contains water that is initially heated in the main chamber and allowed to expand into the expansion chamber to preclude pressure buildup generated by heating the water.
Most known water heating chambers and tanks utilize metal fabricating wherein several pieces of metal must be integrated together to create separate air and watertight chambers. This metal construction is labor intensive, requires expensive cleaning operations during fabrication and is susceptible to leaks. As a result, a hot water dispenser with a plastic tank construction was developed and is the subject of application Ser. Nos. 09/396,387, and 09/026,070, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Tanks that are not comprised of metal, however, are less able to sufficiently withstand heat produced during an accidental dry operation, which happens when the heating element is activated after installation of the tank and before water has been introduced into the system. Accordingly, a need exists for a heat dissipating system that allows a plastic water-heating tank of a hot water dispenser to survive an accidental dry operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a heat dissipating system for protecting a hot water tank dispenser from damage during a dry operation. The dispenser includes a plastic-walled hot water tank containing a heating element extending through a plurality of bushings mounted to the plastic wall. The heat dissipating system also comprises at least one heat dissipation plate mounted to the plastic walls by a bushing and isolated from the heating element by the bushing.
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Campbell Thor S
Emerson Electric Co.
Howrey Simon Arnold & White , LLP
Walberg Teresa
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