Device for dispensing drinks that can be associated with a sink

• US 8,365,959 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2008
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Tavolazzi, Stefano
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, STEPHANIE ELAINE
• Application Number:
  US12/031,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20080217358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,817 Days
• Field of Search: 222/129.1, 222/144.5, 222/144, 222/130, 222/132, 222/133, 222/642, 222/145.1, 222/145.5, 222/145.6, 222/185.1, 222/129.2, 222/129.3, 222/129.4, 222/501, 222/518, 222/331, 467/5, 467/6, 467/7, 467/8, 460/1, 462/3, 137/597, 137/594, 137/595, 251/129.04, 239/11, 239/12, 239/24, 239/25, 239/397
• US Class Current: 222/144.5
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0044 for mixing inside the dispensing nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0086 Hand-held gun type valves
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1405 Control taps
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/04 Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K

Abstract

A drink dispensing tap water dispenser, kit and method of converting a tap water dispenser to a drink dispenser is disclosed. The dispenser includes an adaptor having a central body portion connectable inline to a domestic tap water dispenser. A dispensing nozzle is supported by the central body portion of the adaptor and includes at least one liquid connection to a liquid source for dispensing liquid separate from the tap water dispenser.

Claims

1. A drink dispensing tap water dispenser comprising:

a tap water dispenser having an inlet connected in fluid communication with a water source and a body with a flow regulator, the body having a spout for discharging water from the source;

a device having a central body portion connected inline to the dispenser body, wherein the central body portion of the device includes a user interface having a liquid type selector; and

a dispensing nozzle supported by the central body portion and having at least one liquid connection to a liquid source for dispensing liquid from the liquid source through the dispensing nozzle separate from water dispensed through the tap water dispenser spout.

2. The tap water dispenser of claim 1 wherein the dispensing nozzle is removably received within the central body portion on the tap.

3. The tap water dispenser of claim 2 wherein the dispensing nozzle includes a user interface having a liquid type selector.

4. The tap water dispenser of claim 3 wherein the liquid type selector includes a plurality of depressible buttons.

5. The tap water dispenser of claim 1 wherein the dispensing nozzle includes at least one electronic connection to the liquid source for communicating a control signal from a user interface on the nozzle.

6. The tap water dispenser of claim 1 wherein the dispensing nozzle includes an RF wireless transmitter for communicating a control signal to the liquid source.

7. The tap at dispenser of claim 1 wherein at one of the liquid sources comprises steam.

8. A drink dispensing tap water dispenser comprising:

a tap water dispenser having a body with a spout terminating in an outlet connected in fluid communication with a water source;

a drink dispensing nozzle supported by the body of the tap water dispenser; and

the drink dispensing nozzle having a beverage line connected in fluid communication to a consumable beverage source for dispensing a consumable beverage separate from the water.

9. The dispenser of claim 8 having a first end connected to a mounting surface and a second end terminating in a flow regulator.

10. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein the drink dispensing nozzle is connected inline to the body between the first and second ends.

11. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein the body of the tap water dispenser includes a central body portion adapted to removably receive the drink dispensing nozzle.

12. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein the drink dispensing nozzle includes a beverage type selector.

13. The dispenser of claim 12 wherein;

a) operation of the flow regulator controls the discharge of water from the spout; and

b) operation of the beverage type selector controls discharge of the consumable beverage from the drink dispensing nozzle.

14. A drink dispensing tap water dispenser comprising:

a tap water dispenser having a body with a first end adapted for mounting and a second end having a flow regulator;

a spout connected to the body and in fluid communication with a tap water source;

a drinks dispensing device removably supported by a central portion of the body;

a nozzle of the device connected in fluid communication with a plurality of consumable liquid sources;

a liquid source selector for selecting one of the plurality of consumable liquid sources for dispensing liquid from the consumable liquid source through the nozzle separate from water dispensed through the spout.

15. A drink dispensing tap water dispenser comprising:

a tap water dispenser having, an inlet connected in fluid communication with a water source and a body with a flow regulator, the body having a spout for discharging water from the source;

a device having a central body portion connected inline to the dispenser body;

a dispensing nozzle supported by the central body portion and having at least one liquid connection to a liquid source for dispensing liquid from the liquid source through the dispensing nozzle separate from water dispensed through the tap water dispenser spout; and

wherein at least one of the liquid sources comprises steam.