Water cooler and dispensing system

An apparatus for dispensing liquid from a container, said apparatus comprising:

• a pumping means having a control input for removing liquid from the container in response to a control signal, the pumping means fluidly coupled to the container:
• a reservoir having an inlet and a first outlet for receiving, dispensing and holding liquid;
• a connecting means fluidly coupling the container and the reservoir;
• a dispensing means coupled to the reservoir, the dispensing means outputting liquid from the apparatus when activated by a user:
• a level sensor having an output for signaling when less than a predetermined amount of liquid is in the reservoir, the level sensor attached to the reservoir;
• a liquid detector having an output for generating a signal in response to a substantially empty condition in the container, the liquid detector coupled to the container;
• control circuitry having a first and a second input and an output for operating the pumping means when the level sensor indicates less than the predetermined amount of liquid in the reservoir and the liquid detector indicates that the container is not empty, the first input coupled to the output of the level sensor, the second input coupled to the output of the liquid detector, and the output of the control circuitry coupled to the control input of the pumping means;
• a baffle mounted inside the reservoir to divide the reservoir into an upper portion and lower portion;
• and
• a cooling unit positioned in the lower portion of the reservoir to chill the liquid in the lower portion.

An apparatus for dispensing liquid from a container, said apparatus comprising:

• a pumping means having a control input for removing liquid from the container in response to a control signal, the pumping means fluidly coupled to the container;
• a reservoir having an inlet and a first outlet for receiving, dispensing and holding liquid;
• a dispensing means coupled to the reservoir, the dispensing means outputting liquid from the apparatus when activated by a user;
• a level sensor having an output for signaling when less than a predetermined amount of liquid is in the reservoir, the level sensor attached to the reservoir;
• a liquid detector having an output for generating a signal in response to a substantially empty condition in the container, the liquid detector coupled to the container;
• control circuitry having a first and a second input and an output for operating the pumping means when the level sensor indicates less than the predetermined amount of liquid in the reservoir and the liquid detector indicates that the container is not empty, the first input coupled to the output of the level sensor, the second input coupled to the output of the liquid detector, and the output of the control circuitry coupled to the control input of the pumping means;
• a first conduit coupled to the reservoir;
• a second conduit having a first and a second end, the first end of the second conduit coupled to the first conduit, the second conduit extending into the container and having a variable length for positioning the second end of the second conduit flush with the container, the second conduit comprising:
• a first tube;
• a second tube having a first end and a second end, the second end having notches which allow liquid flow into the second tube when the second end is flush with the container;
• and
• a housing coupled between the first tube and the first end of the second tube, the housing having a check valve permitting liquid flow in only one direction, and a depth compensator defining a chamber to slidably receive the first end of the second tube, the depth compensator having a spring to resist movement of the second tube into the chamber.

An apparatus for removing liquid from a container, comprising:

• a first tube;
• a second tube having a first end and a second end, the second end having notches which allow the flow of fluid into the second tube when the second end is flush with the container;
• and
• a housing coupled between the first tube and the first end of the second tube, the housing having a check valve permitting liquid flow in only one direction, and a depth compensator defining a chamber to slidably receive the first end of the second tube, the depth compensator having a spring to resist the movement of the second tube into the chamber.