Refrigeration – Using electrical or magnetic effect – Thermoelectric; e.g. – peltier effect
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-16
2001-05-29
Doerrler, William (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Using electrical or magnetic effect
Thermoelectric; e.g., peltier effect
C062S391000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237345
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a dispenser for cooling and dispensing liquids, and more particularly, a dispenser for cooling and dispensing liquids which can continue to dispense liquids even when the liquid in the cooling reservoir is frozen.
In order to store and cool liquids for consumption, such as water, it is known to provide a cooling reservoir for storing the water, and to connect a spigot to the cooling reservoir for dispensing the water. A thermoelectric device may be used to cool the water before it is dispensed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,489 to Moren discloses an apparatus for dispensing a cooled liquid which utilizes a thermoelectric device. The apparatus disclosed in that patent includes a compartment having a wall for retaining the water to be cooled and dispensed. A thermoelectric device having a first surface with a relatively cool temperature and a second surface having a relatively high temperature is located adjacent to the compartment. A cooling probe is coupled to the first surface, and extends through the compartment wall such that it cools the water in the compartment. The thermoelectric cooling device is commercially available, and produces a temperature differential upon application of a direct voltage due to the Peltier effect.
However, water coolers such as disclosed in the Moren patent can be troublesome due to the fact that the entire volume of liquid in the cooling reservoir may freeze completely. Under such “freeze-up” conditions, the liquid can no longer be dispensed and the cooler is rendered inoperable. Various arrangement of fans, timers, temperature controls, and feed back loops have been utilized in attempts to address the freeze-up problem. However, these measures are complicated to implement and utilize, and largely unreliable in preventing freeze-up. Accordingly, there is a need for a liquid cooler and dispenser which can effectively cool and dispense water, and that can remain operable during freeze-up of the cooling reservoir.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a dispenser for cooling and dispensing liquids which can continue to dispense liquids even when the liquid in the cooling reservoir becomes frozen. In place of the complicated controls and devices of the prior art, the present invention utilizes a pocket of trapped air, or “air bubble,” to counteract freeze-up of the entire cooling reservoir.
More particularly, the present invention is a dispener comprising a liquid supply and a cooling reservoir, the cooling reservoir having an entry port and an exit port. The cooling reservoir is shaped so as to position a pocket of air at the top of the reservoir when the reservoir contains liquid, and the entry port communicates with the air pocket. The dispenser has a conduit connected on one end to the liquid supply and on the other end to the entry port of the cooling reservoir. The dispenser further comprises a cooling element disposed inside the cooling reservoir and a first pump for moving the liquid from the liquid supply to the cooling reservoir through the conduit.
Other features and advantages of the present device will become apparent from the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawing and claims, which form a part of the specification.
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Kalman Jeffrey M.
McCarthy Richard O.
Nottingham John R.
Plantz Jeffrey S.
Spirk John W.
Calfee Halter & Griswold LLP
Doerrler William
Home Pure L.L.C.
Jones Mel
Pejic Nenad
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