US 4,133,456 A · Temperature-controlled liquid dispenser

Abstract

A temperature controlled liquid dispenser having an insulated receptacle with improved ventilation characteristics; and having a novel dispensing valve. A novel valve is described which can be removed from the liquid dispenser and the portable container thereby eliminating the requirement of emptying the container before removing it from the dispenser, yet allowing removal of the valve from the container whereby the container can be capped and the valve used again. The receptacle is adapted to receive a portable liquid filled container which is temperature controlled by a thermo-electric device in contact with a heat conductive lining which engages a portion of the interior of the receptacle for heating or cooling the contents thereof. Heat insulation-filled receptacle channel portions extend downwardly from the main body of the receptacle on either side of heat exchange fins which are attached to and extend downwardly away from the thermo-electric device. This arrangement, together with proper placement of air vents and an air circulating fan, serves to provide improved ventilation of the dispenser.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A temperature controlled liquid dispenser for dispensing a liquid into a demand container, comprising:

(a) a heat insulated receptacle having an opening;
(b) a temperature control means in contact with a portion of said receptacle for controlling the temperature of the contents of said receptacle;
(c) a base means engaging the underside of said insulated receptacle for supporting said insulated receptacle above said demand container;
(d) a portable liquid-storage disposed in said insulated receptacle, said liquid-storage container having a nozzle portion which is disposed within said opening;
(e) a valve means for controlling the flow of liquid from said liquid-storage container, said valve means pivotal between a closed position and an open position, said valve means removably attached to said nozzle portion;
and
(f) a delivery means to provide a path along which said liquid can flow from said liquid-storage container toward said demand container, said delivery means comprising:
a gasket nipple for insertion between said nozzle portion and said valve means, said nipple having a tubular portion, said valve means closing said tubular portion when said valve means is in the closed position, thereby preventing the flow of liquid from said liquid-storage container.

5 more elements

A temperature controlled liquid dispenser for dispensing a liquid into a demand container, comprising:

(a) a heat insulated receptacle having at least two downwardly extending, spaced-apart heat insulation-filled channel portions;
(b) valve means for controlling the flow of liquid from said insulated receptacle;
(c) base means for supporting said insulated receptacle above said demand container, said base means comprising a rear chamber, said spaced-apart channel portions extending into said rear chamber and extending longitudinally between at least two opposite sides of said chamber;
(d) thermo-electric temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the contents of said insulated receptacle, said temperature control means having a heat exchange means for exchanging heat with the ambient atmosphere, said heat exchange means extending downwardly into said rear chamber between said channel portions, said heat exchange means extending longitudinally between said opposite sides of said chamber;
and
(e) air circulating means for circulating air across said heat exchange means along a path partially defined by said spaced-apart channel portions.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Temperature-controlled liquid dispenser

Life of this patent

Temperature-controlled liquid dispenser

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9