Computer-controlled heated and/or cooled liquid dispenser

• US 5,889,684 A
• Filed: 10/18/1996
• Issued: 03/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Waterlogic International Limited
• Original Assignee: Waterlogic International Limited
• Inventors: Ben-David, Jeremy, Ben-David, Yitshaq
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smithers, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US08/730,911
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 364/510, 364/528.16, 364/528.17, 364/528.18, 222/54, 222/67, 222/14, 222/146.1, 222/386.5, 222/61, 222/64, 222/108, 239/1
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/52 Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/525 the electronic control being based on monitoring of specific process parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/5253 of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0009 the beverage being stored in an intermediate container connected to a supply
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0014 the beverage being supplied from water mains
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0001 for liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00015 UV radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00118 Heating and cooling
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 with ultraviolet light

Abstract

A liquid, e.g., water, dispenser is disclosed which includes a programmed processor which controls many dispensing functions, including controlling liquid dispensing, controlling heating and cooling of liquid, monitoring uv sterilization, monitoring liquid in the drip tray, selecting and setting liquid temperature and displaying information relating to dispensing. The dispenser monitors uv sterilization by sensing uv light passing through the liquid to be dispensed. The dispenser prevents dispensing of the sterilized liquid if sterilization is not proceeding satisfactorily, and prevents dispensing of liquid altogether if the drip tray is full.

Claims

1. A liquid dispenser comprising:

a programmed processor;

a first sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the temperature of a liquid in the dispenser;

at least one of a heater and a refrigeration unit which changes the temperature of the liquid as controlled by the programmed processor;

a liquid flow control device coupled to a source of liquid to be dispensed which allows the flow of liquid therethrough and prevents the flow of the liquid therethrough as controlled by the programmed processor;

a liquid outlet in communication with the liquid flow control device;

a manually operated input device coupled to the programmed processor;

a drip tray positioned below the liquid outlet so as to receive liquid dispensed therefrom not received in a container placed between the liquid outlet and the drip tray; and

a second sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the level of liquid in the drip tray;

the programmed processor being programmed to;

cause at least one of the heater and the refrigeration unit to change the temperature of the liquid in response to a set temperature and the temperature sensed by the first sensor; and

cause the liquid flow control device to pass liquid therethrough in response to the input device and not to pass liquid therethrough in response to the second sensor.

4. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the refrigerant unit includes a compressor controlled by the programmed processor.

5. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, 2 or 3 comprising a manually operable switch coupled to the programmed processor, which is programmed to provide the set temperature in response to operation of the switch.

6. The liquid dispenser of claim 5 comprising a display coupled to the programmed processor which is programmed to display the temperature of the liquid which is to be dispensed in response to the input device.

7. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, 2 or 3 comprising a display coupled to the programmed processor which is programmed to display the temperature of the liquid which is to be dispensed in response to the input device.

8. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, 2 or 3 comprising an indicator controlled by the programmed processor which is programmed to activate the indicator when the programmed processor causes the liquid flow control device not to pass liquid therethrough in response to the second sensor.

9. The liquid dispenser of claim 8 wherein the dispenser comprises at least one of a visual device and an audio device.

10. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the liquid flow control device is a solenoid valve electrically coupled to the programmed processor and positioned between the source of liquid and the outlet of the dispenser, the valve having an opened and closed condition controlled by the programmed processor.

11. The liquid dispenser of claim 10 wherein the liquid is water and the dispenser comprises at least one tank having an inlet and an outlet, and wherein the first sensor senses the temperature of water in the tank and the valve is coupled between the source of water and the inlet of the tank.

2. A liquid dispenser comprising:

a programmed processor;

a first sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the temperature of a liquid in the dispenser;

at least one of a heater and a refrigeration unit which changes the temperature of the liquid as controlled by the programmed processor;

a liquid flow control device coupled to a source of liquid to be dispensed which allows the flow of liquid therethrough and prevents the flow of the liquid therethrough as controlled by the programmed processor;

a liquid outlet in communication with the liquid flow control device;

a manually operated input device coupled to the programmed processor;

an ultraviolet lamp positioned to emit ultraviolet light into the liquid to be dispensed; and

a second sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the ultraviolet light passing through at least a portion of the liquid to be dispensed;

the programmed processor being programmed to;

cause the at least one of the heater and the refrigeration unit to change the temperature of the liquid in response to a set temperature and the temperature sensed by the first sensor; and

cause the liquid flow control device to pass liquid therethrough in response to the input device and not to pass liquid therethrough in response to the second sensor.

3. A liquid dispenser comprising:

a programmed processor;

a first sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the temperature of a liquid in the dispenser;

at least one of a heater and a refrigeration unit which changes the temperature of the liquid as controlled by the programmed processor for changing the temperature of the liquid;

a liquid flow control device coupled to a source of liquid to be dispensed which allows the flow of liquid therethrough and prevents the flow of the liquid therethrough as controlled by the programmed processor;

a liquid outlet in communication with the liquid flow control device;

a manually operated input device coupled to the programmed processor;

a drip tray positioned below the liquid outlet so as to receive liquid dispensed therefrom not received in a container placed between the liquid outlet and the drip tray; and

a second sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the level of liquid in the drip tray;

an ultraviolet lamp positioned to emit ultraviolet light into the liquid to be dispensed; and

a third sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the ultraviolet light passing through at least a portion of the liquid to be dispensed;

the programmed processor being programmed to;

cause the at least one of the heater and the refrigeration to change the temperature of the liquid in response to a set temperature and the temperature sensed by the first sensor; and

cause the liquid flow control device to pass liquid therethrough in response to the input device and not to pass liquid therethrough in response at least one of the second and third sensors.

12. A liquid dispenser which dispenses a liquid or liquids at two different temperatures, comprising:

a programmed processor;

a first sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the temperature of a liquid in a first location in the dispenser;

a second sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the temperature of a liquid in a second location of the dispenser;

a heater which heats the liquid in the first location as controlled by the programmed processor;

a refrigeration unit which cools the liquid in the second location as controlled by the programmed processor;

a first liquid flow control device which allows the flow of liquid therethrough from the first location and prevents the flow of the liquid therethrough as controlled by the programmed processor;

a liquid flow control device which allows the flow of liquid therethrough from the second location and prevents the flow of the liquid therethrough as controlled by the programmed processor;

a liquid outlet in communication with the first and second liquid flow control devices;

a first manually operated input device coupled to the programmed processor;

a second manually operated input device coupled to the programmed processor;

a drip tray positioned below the liquid outlet so as to receive liquid dispensed therefrom not received in a container placed between the liquid outlet and the drip tray; and

a third sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the level of liquid in the drip tray;

the programmed processor being programmed to;

cause the heater and the refrigeration unit to heat and cool the liquid at the first and second locations in response to first and second set temperatures and the temperature sensed by the first and second sensors, respectively; and

cause the first and second liquid flow control devices to pass liquid therethrough from the first and second locations in response to the first and second input devices, respectively, and not to dispense liquid through the first and second liquid flow control devices in response to the third sensor.

15. The liquid dispenser of claim 12, 13 or 14 wherein the refrigeration unit includes a compressor controlled by the programmed processor.

16. The liquid dispenser of claim 12, 13 or 14 comprising at least one manually operable switch coupled to the programmed processor, which is programmed to provide at least one of the set temperatures in response to operation of the switch.

17. The liquid dispenser of claim 12, 13 or 14 comprising a display coupled to the programmed processor which is programmed to display the temperatures of the liquids at the first and second locations.

18. The liquid dispenser of claim 17 comprising a display coupled to the programmed processor which is programmed to display the temperatures of the liquids at the first and second locations.

19. The liquid dispenser of claim 12 or 13 comprising an indicator controlled by the programmed processor which is programmed to activate the indicator when the programmed processor causes at least one of the first and second liquid flow control devices not to pass liquid therethrough in response to the third sensor.

20. The liquid dispenser of claim 19 wherein the indicator comprises at least one of a visual device and an audio device.

21. The liquid dispenser of claim 12, 13 or 14 wherein the first liquid flow control device comprises a solenoid valve electrically coupled to the programmed processor positioned between the source of liquid and the outlet of first location in the dispenser, the second liquid flow control device comprises a solenoid valve electrically coupled to the programmed processor positioned between the source of liquid and the second location in the dispenser, and wherein each valve has an opened and closed condition controlled by the programmed processor.

22. The liquid dispenser of claim 21 wherein the dispenser dispenses the same liquid at two different temperatures.

23. The liquid dispenser of claim 22 wherein the liquid is water and the dispenser comprises a first tank and a second tank each having an inlet and an outlet, and wherein the first sensor senses the temperature of water in the first tank, the second sensor senses the temperature of water in the second tank, the valve of the first liquid flow control device is coupled between a source of water and the inlet of the first tank, the second liquid flow control device is coupled between the source of water and the inlet of the second tank, and the outlet of the dispenser is coupled to the outlet of each of the first and second tanks.

13. A liquid dispenser which dispenses a liquid or liquids at two different temperatures, comprising:

a programmed processor;

a first sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the temperature of a liquid in a first location in the dispenser;

a second sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the temperature of a liquid in a second location of the dispenser;

a heater which heats the liquid in the first location as controlled by the programmed processor;

a refrigeration unit which cools the liquid in the second location as controlled by the programmed processor;

a first liquid flow control device which allows the flow of liquid therethrough from the first location and prevents the flow of the liquid therethrough as controlled by the programmed processor;

a second liquid flow control device which allows the flow of liquid therethrough from the second location and prevents the flow of the liquid therethrough as controlled by the programmed processor;

a liquid outlet in communication with the first and second liquid flow control devices;

a first manually operated input device coupled to the programmed processor;

a second manually operated input device coupled to the programmed processor;

an ultraviolet lamp positioned to emit ultraviolet light into the liquid to be dispensed in at least one of the first and second locations; and

a third sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the ultraviolet light passing through at least a portion of the liquid to be dispensed;

the programmed processor being programmed to;

cause the heater and the refrigeration unit to heat and cool the liquid at the first and second locations in response to first and second set temperatures and the temperature sensed by the first and second sensors, respectively; and

cause the first and second liquid flow control devices to pass liquid therethrough from the first and second locations in response to the first and second input devices, respectively, and not to dispense liquid through the first and second liquid flow control devices in response to the third sensor.

14. A liquid dispenser which dispenses a liquid or liquids at two different temperatures, comprising:

a programmed processor;

a heater which heats the liquid in the first location as controlled by the programmed processor;

a refrigeration unit which cools the liquid in the second location as controlled by the programmed processor;

a first sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the temperature of a liquid in a first location in the dispenser;

a second sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the temperature of a liquid in a second location of the dispenser;

a first liquid flow control device which allows the flow of liquid therethrough from the first location and prevents the flow of the liquid therethrough as controlled by the programmed processor;

a second liquid flow control device which allows the flow of liquid therethrough from the second location and prevents the flow of the liquid therethrough as controlled by the programmed processor;

a liquid outlet in communication with the first and second liquid flow control devices;

a first manually operated input device coupled to the programmed processor;

a second manually operated input device coupled to the programmed processor;

a drip tray positioned below the liquid outlet so as to receive liquid dispensed therefrom not received in a container placed between the liquid outlet and the drip tray; and

a third sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the level of liquid in the drip tray;

an ultraviolet lamp positioned to emit ultraviolet light into the liquid to be dispensed in at least one of the first and second locations; and

a fourth sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the ultraviolet light passing through at least a portion of the liquid to be dispensed;

the programmed processor being programmed to;

cause the heater and the refrigeration unit to heat and cool the liquid at the first and second locations in response to first and second set temperatures and the temperature sensed by the first and second sensors, respectively; and

cause the first and second liquid flow control devices to pass liquid therethrough from the first and second locations in response to the first and second input devices, respectively, and not to dispense liquid through the first and second liquid flow control devices in response to at least one of the third and fourth sensors.

24. The liquid sensor of claim 14 comprising an indicator controlled by the programmed processor which is programmed to activate the indicator when the programmed processor causes at least one of the first and second liquid flow control devices not to pass liquid therethrough in response to the fourth sensor.

25. A liquid dispenser comprising:

a programmed processor;

a first sensor coupled to the programmed processor which senses the temperature of a liquid in the dispenser;

at least one of a heater and a refrigeration unit which changes the temperature of the liquid as controlled by the programmed processor;

a liquid flow control device coupled to a source of liquid to be dispensed which allows the flow of liquid therethrough and prevents the flow of the liquid therethrough as controlled by the programmed processor;

a display device coupled to the programmed processor;

a liquid outlet in communication with the liquid flow control device;

a manually operated input device coupled to the programmed processor;

the programmed processor being programmed to;

cause the liquid flow control device to pass liquid therethrough in response to the input device;

cause at least one of the heater and the refrigeration unit to change the temperature of liquid in response to a set temperature and the temperature sensed by the first sensor; and

cause at least one of the set temperature and the temperature of the liquid which is to be dispensed in response to the input device to be displayed on the display device.

26. The liquid dispenser of claim 25 wherein the programmed processor is programmed to provide the set temperature in response to operation of a manually operable input device.