Bottled water dispensing cabinet
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsPaul J. Morellato, Don Terkalas, Keith E. Carr
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A water dispensing apparatus having a cabinet providing a water bottle holding compartment having a deployable ramp to assist in loading an upright water bottle into the cabinet, a front mounted alcove with a paddle switch having a stepped outer surface to allow activation by small and large diameter containers, an electrical interlock switch for avoiding inadvertent dispensing of hot water, and a reserve tank having a low water level alarm switch activating a light annunciator and a vent check valve arrangement for venting the reserve tank during water flow. The cabinet is adapted to receive a filter unit in lieu of a water bottle.
Claims16
A water dispensing apparatus for holding a water bottle and dispensing water therefrom, comprising:
- a tubular means adapted to be inserted into a water bottle for drawing water from the water bottle;
- a reserve tank flow connected to said tubular means for drawing water from the water bottle and having an elevated vent having a check vale located above a maximum water level in the water bottle;
- a dispensing spout arranged to dispense water into a container;
- a pump means for drawing water from said reserve tank and delivering water to said dispensing spout.
The apparatus according to clam 1, wherein said reserve tank further comprises a water level switch and said apparatus comprises an annunciator, said water level switch connected to said annunciator to indicate a low water level.
An apparatus for dispensing water comprising:
- a cabinet having an enclosed bottom compartment accessible through a front mounted door, a top compartment above said bottom compartment said top compartment having an alcove on a front side thereof;
- a water dispensing spout mounted to said cabinet within said alcove;
- a water conduit means for channeling water arranged between said bottom and top compartments;
- a means for chilling water mounted within said top compartment and flow connected to said spout and to said water conduit means;
- clean water supply means including one of a bottled water supply or a filter assembly located within said bottom compartment and flow connected to said water conduit means, said bottom compartment sized and adapted to contain said water supply means;
- and
- wherein said means for chilling water comprises a cold water storage tank having an inlet on a bottom thereof and an outlet tube extending from a top thereof into an interior of the tank to an open end adjacent a bottom of the tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.