US 12,703,620 B2 · Water dispensing station

Abstract

A drink station is provided with an alkaline filter cartridge in fluid communication with an ambient temperature water line provide alkaline water, and with a chilled water mixed with the alkaline water at a spigot to provide chilled alkaline water. A hot water heating element is located below the spigot so hot water flows upward for dispensing from the spigot, with a vent line between the heating element and spigot helping hot water to flow from the spigot to the heating element. A refrigeration system and a carbonation system is also provided. The refrigeration system uses the ice-bank technology. A submersible agitator pump improves heat exchanged between ice-bank and water by forced convection. The agitator pump operating based on the temperature of the drinking water. A figure eight evaporator coil can provide two cylindrical ice banks and two chilled water coils to increase the chilled water capacity.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A beverage dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a reservoir configured to store a heat-exchange fluid;
a chiller coil arranged within the reservoir having a plurality of coils extending around a longitudinal axis, wherein the chiller coil is configured to circulate a beverage, and wherein the chiller coil is in communication with a water source and a dispensing outlet;
an evaporator coil arranged within the reservoir and configured to form an ice bank within the reservoir;
an agitator pump arranged within the reservoir, wherein the agitator pump comprises:
an inlet port arranged along the longitudinal axis for inflow of the heat exchange fluid into the agitator pump;
and
a plurality of outlet ports arranged at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the plurality of outlet ports are configured to direct an outflow of the heat exchange fluid toward the evaporator coil;
and
a controller in communication with the agitator pump and configured to selectively activate the agitator pump to circulate the heat exchange fluid within the reservoir.

6 more elements

A beverage dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a reservoir configured to store a heat-exchange fluid;
a chiller coil arranged within the reservoir having a plurality of coils extending around a longitudinal axis, wherein the chiller coil is configured to circulate a beverage, and wherein the chiller coil is in communication with a water source and a dispensing outlet;
an evaporator coil arranged within the reservoir and configured to form an ice bank within the reservoir;
a first agitator pump arranged within the reservoir, wherein the first agitator pump comprises:
a first inlet port arranged along the longitudinal axis for inflow of the heat exchange fluid into the first agitator pump, and
a plurality of first outlet ports arranged at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the plurality of first outlet ports are configured to direct an outflow of the heat exchange fluid toward the evaporator coil;
and
a second agitator pump arranged within the reservoir, wherein the second agitator pump comprises:
a second inlet port arranged along the longitudinal axis for inflow of the heat exchange fluid into the second agitator pump, and
a plurality of second outlet ports arranged at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the plurality of second outlet ports are configured to direct an outflow of the heat exchange fluid toward the evaporator coil;
and
a controller in communication with the first and second agitator pumps and configured to selectively activate the first and second agitator pumps to circulate the heat exchange fluid within the reservoir.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Water dispensing station

Life of this patent

Water dispensing station

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20