DRINKING WATER DISPENSER

Abstract

Drinking water distributor device provided with a hydraulic circuit comprising a water inlet solenoid valve in said circuit, a pump connected downstream of said inlet solenoid valve, a first dispensing solenoid valve connected downstream of said pump and a second dispensing solenoid valve, a refrigeration unit, a collector and a dispensing nozzle connected downstream of said collector, said first and second dispensing solenoid valves each having a first outlet in connection with said nozzle through said collector, said first dispensing solenoid valve being provided with a second outlet in connection with the inlet of said second dispensing solenoid valve through the refrigeration unit, such that said first and second dispensing solenoid valves are configured to provide the dispensing of water at room temperature and of chilled water respectively. The second dispensing solenoid valve is provided with a second outlet, a first recirculation solenoid valve.

Claims

1. A drinking water distributor device provided with a hydraulic circuit comprising: a) a water inlet solenoid valve in said circuit, b) a pump connected downstream of said inlet solenoid valve, c) a first dispensing solenoid valve connected downstream of said pump and a second dispensing solenoid valve, d) a refrigeration unit, e) a collector and f) a dispensing nozzle connected downstream of said collector, said first and second dispensing solenoid valves each having a first outlet in connection with said nozzle through said collector, said first dispensing solenoid valve being provided with a second outlet in connection with the inlet of said second dispensing solenoid valve through the refrigeration unit, such that said first and second dispensing solenoid valves are configured to provide the dispensing of water at room temperature and of chilled water respectively, characterized in that the said second dispensing solenoid valve is provided with a second outlet a first recirculation solenoid valve configured to receive the chilled water dispensed from the second outlet of said second dispensing solenoid valve, said first recirculation solenoid valve being connected to the circuit between the inlet solenoid valve and the first dispensing solenoid valve through a first outlet thereof and being configured to provide through said first outlet the re-introduction of the chilled water into said hydraulic circuit.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said recirculation solenoid valve comprises a second outlet, a carbonator being provided and a third dispensing solenoid valve having a first outlet, the carbonator being configured to receive chilled water from said second outlet of said first recirculation solenoid valve and to send carbonated chilled water to said third dispensing solenoid valve, said third dispensing solenoid valve having said first 5 outlet connected to said nozzle through said collector to provide for the dispensing of carbonated chilled water.

3. The device according to claim 1 comprising at least a second recirculation solenoid valve at an outlet, said second recirculation solenoid valve being configured to 10 receive the carbonated chilled water dispensed from a second outlet of said third dispensing solenoid valve and provide through said outlet the re-introduction of the carbonated chilled water into said hydraulic circuit.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second recirculation solenoid valves are configured to provide for the recirculation of water in the hydraulic circuit alternately with each other.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second recirculation solenoid valves are configured to provide for the re-introduction of chilled water into the hydraulic circuit downstream of said inlet solenoid valve.

6. The device according to claim 1, comprising an internal filter connected to the said hydraulic circuit downstream of the said inlet solenoid valve.

7. The device according to claim 1, comprising an external filter connected to said hydraulic circuit upstream of said inlet solenoid valve.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said first and second recirculation solenoid valves are configured to provide for the re-introduction of chilled water or carbonated chilled water into the hydraulic circuit by prior flushing of said chilled water or carbonated chilled water into said external filter.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein an Ag/Cu ion enrichment module is provided in connection with said hydraulic circuit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0115] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following disclosure of some embodiment examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0116] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the system configured to provide for the re-introduction of chilled still water into the hydraulic circuit with internal filter of a distributor capable of dispensing room temperature still water and chilled still water;

[0117] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the system configured to provide for the re-introduction of chilled still water into the hydraulic circuit with internal filter of a distributor capable of dispensing still water at room temperature, chilled still water and carbonated chilled water;

[0118] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the system configured to provide for the re-introduction of chilled still water and carbonated chilled water into the hydraulic circuit with internal filter of a distributor capable of dispensing room temperature still water, chilled still water and carbonated chilled water;

[0119] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the system configured to provide for the re-introduction of chilled still water into the hydraulic circuit with external filter of a distributor capable of dispensing room temperature still water and chilled still water;

[0120] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of the system configured to provide for the re-introduction of chilled still water into the hydraulic circuit with external filter of a distributor capable of dispensing still water at room temperature, chilled still water and carbonated chilled water;

[0121] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic representation of a sixth embodiment of the system configured to provide for the re-introduction of chilled still water and carbonated chilled water into the hydraulic circuit with external filter of a distributor capable of dispensing still water at room temperature, chilled still water and carbonated chilled water;

[0122] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic representation of a seventh embodiment of the system configured with an internal filter of a distributor capable of dispensing still water at room temperature, chilled still water and carbonated chilled water, without re-introducing water into the hydraulic circuit;

[0123] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic representation of an eighth embodiment of the system configured to provide for the re-introduction of chilled still water and carbonated chilled water into the hydraulic circuit with an internal filter of a distributor capable of dispensing still water at room temperature, chilled still water and carbonated chilled water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0124] In detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the system for the recirculation of water 1 in the hydraulic circuit with an internal filter of a distributor configured to dispense still water at room temperature and chilled still water. The system 1 comprises a hydraulic circuit comprising an inlet solenoid valve 2 for the water coming from an external water supply line, said inlet solenoid valve 2 being provided with a non-return valve 3, a pump 4 configured to push the water along a delivery pipe that leads it through an activated carbon filter 5 and, subsequently, to a first dispensing valve 6. The first dispensing solenoid valve 6 comprises two outlets 6 and 6, configured to be operated alternately. Through the first outlet 6, the still water at room temperature is conveyed to a collector 9 and sent to a nozzle 10, which provides for dispensing water from the distributor.

[0125] When said first outlet 6 is open, the water coming into said first dispensing solenoid valve 6 can only be directed towards the nozzle 10. When the second outlet 6 instead turns out to be open, the water coming to the first solenoid valve 6 is sent to a refrigeration unit 7 provided with a coil-shaped heat exchanger and preferably chilled to 4 C.

[0126] Here the water is chilled, and then arrives at a second dispensing solenoid valve 8, also comprising two outlets 8 and 8 configured to be actuated in an alternating manner.

[0127] When the first outlet 8 is open, the chilled still water leaving the heat exchanger 7 can therefore only flow to the collector 9 and from here reach the dispensing nozzle 10.

[0128] In the system 1, when the second outlet 8 is open, the chilled still water leaving the heat exchanger 7 passes into the said second dispensing solenoid valve 8 to reach a subsequent first recirculation solenoid valve 100, configured to re-introduce the chilled still water into the hydraulic circuit.

[0129] The first recirculation solenoid valve 100, in fact, once it receives the chilled still water from the second dispensing solenoid valve 8, can recirculate it in the hydraulic circuit through a delivery pipe which, starting from the outlet 100 and including a non-return valve 101, flows into the hydraulic circuit downstream of the inlet solenoid valve 2.

[0130] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the device for water recirculation 1 in the hydraulic circuit with internal filter 5 of a distributor configured to dispense still water at room temperature, chilled still water and carbonated chilled water. The system comprises, in addition to what is described in relation to FIG. 1, a second outlet 100 for the first recirculation solenoid valve 100, a carbonator 12 and a third dispensing solenoid valve 13 having an outlet 13. Consequently, the first recirculation solenoid valve 100, as an alternative to the possibility of providing the re-introduction of chilled still water into the hydraulic circuit via its outlet 100, can convey the chilled still water towards the carbonator 12, in particular by passing it through a non-return valve 11 located downstream of the second outlet 100 of the first recirculation solenoid valve 100. The chilled still water, once in the carbonator 12, is mixed with carbon dioxide which is blown into the carbonator 12 itself through a non-return valve 12, creating carbonated chilled water.

[0131] The carbonated chilled water is then sent to the third dispensing solenoid valve 13 which, through its outlet 13, conveys the carbonated chilled water into the collector 9, which from here reaches the dispensing nozzle 10.

[0132] FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the system for recirculating water 1 in the hydraulic circuit with internal filter 5 of a distributor configured to dispense still water at room temperature, chilled still water and carbonated chilled water. In particular, the device 1, in addition to what has been disclosed so far, comprises a second outlet 13 of the third dispensing solenoid valve 13 and a second recirculation solenoid valve 102 configured to provide for the re-introduction of the carbonated chilled water into the hydraulic circuit.

[0133] Consequently, the third dispensing solenoid valve 13, as an alternative to the possibility of flowing the carbonated chilled water into the collector 9 through its first outlet 13, can send, through the second outlet 13, the carbonated chilled water to the second recirculation solenoid valve 102, which provides through its outlet 102 to re-introduce it into the hydraulic circuit downstream of the inlet solenoid valve 2. In particular, the carbonated chilled water, once it has exited the second recirculation solenoid valve 102, crosses a non-return valve 103 on its way to be re-introduced into the hydraulic circuit.

[0134] The first recirculation solenoid valve 100 and the second recirculation solenoid valve 102 are preferably operable in sequence for the purpose of recirculation, that is, the device firstly provides for the recirculation of chilled still water through the first recirculation solenoid valve 100 to cool the temperature of the hydraulic circuit and, secondly, for the recirculation of carbonated chilled water through the second recirculation solenoid valve 102, so as to provide an additional sanitizing action in the hydraulic circuit through the carbonic acid that is generated in the carbonator as a result of the combination of water and carbon dioxide. The solenoid valves 6, 8, 13, 100 and 102 are controlled by a control unit, not illustrated in the figures.

[0135] FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the water recirculation system 1 in the hydraulic circuit with external filter of a distributor. In particular, the embodiment illustrated here refers to the same as in FIG. 1 but, this time, the activated carbon filter 5 is placed externally to the hydraulic circuit, and therefore externally to the same dispensing distributor.

[0136] The first recirculation solenoid valve 100 no longer provides, directly, the re-introduction of the chilled still water into the hydraulic circuit downstream of the inlet solenoid valve 2, but sends the water to the filter 5, which is in a position external to the hydraulic circuit, in particular located upstream of said inlet solenoid valve 2 and in communication with it. The filter 5 consequently receives the chilled still water from the first recirculation solenoid valve 100 and re-introduces it into the hydraulic circuit through said inlet solenoid valve 2.

[0137] FIG. 5 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the water recirculation system 1 in the hydraulic circuit with external filter of a distributor. In particular, the embodiment illustrated here refers to the same as in FIG. 2 but, this time, the activated carbon filter 5 is placed externally to the hydraulic circuit, and therefore externally to the same dispensing distributor.

[0138] The solenoid valve 100, similar to that described in FIG. 4, provides, through its outlet 100, to send the chilled water to the external filter 5, located upstream of said inlet solenoid valve 2 and in communication with it. The filter 5 then re-introduces the chilled water into the hydraulic circuit of the distributor. Alternatively, similar to what is described in FIG. 2, when the outlet 100 of the first recirculation solenoid valve 100 is closed, the first recirculation solenoid valve 100 can, through its second outlet 100, convey the chilled still water towards the carbonator 12, in particular by passing it through a non-return valve 11 located downstream of the second outlet 100 of the first recirculation solenoid valve. The chilled still water, once in the carbonator 12, is mixed with carbon dioxide which is blown into the carbonator 12 itself through a non-return valve 12, creating carbonated chilled water.

[0139] The carbonated chilled water is then sent to the third dispensing solenoid valve 13 which, through its outlet 13, conveys the carbonated chilled water into the collector 9, and from here reaches the dispensing nozzle 10.

[0140] FIG. 6 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the water recirculation system 1 in the hydraulic circuit with external filter 5 of a distributor. In particular, the embodiment illustrated here refers to the same as in FIG. 3 but, this time, the activated carbon filter 5 is positioned externally to the hydraulic circuit, and therefore externally to the same dispensing distributor.

[0141] The first and second recirculation solenoid valves 100 and 102 of the system 1, which are preferably operable in sequence for recirculation purposes, respectively provide [0142] a) a first re-introduction into the hydraulic circuit of chilled water through the outlet 100 of the first recirculation solenoid valve 100 and [0143] b) a subsequent re-introduction into the hydraulic circuit of carbonated chilled water through the outlet 102 of the second recirculation solenoid valve 102, [0144] where in particular the said re-introduction provides for a prior flow of the water that must be recirculated in the external filter, which is in direct hydraulic contact with the said outlets of the recirculation solenoid valves 100, 102.

[0145] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment example of the system, without re-introduction of water into the hydraulic circuit. As in the examples in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8, the path of the hydraulic circuit is as follows: [0146] a. The water enters the water distributor through a main solenoid valve 2 or safety solenoid valve equipped with a non-return valve 3. [0147] b. The water exits the main solenoid valve 2 and enters the pump 4. [0148] c. The water exits the pump 4 and enters the filter 5. [0149] d. The water exits the filter 5 and enters the solenoid valve for dispensing water at room temperature 6. [0150] e. The water exits the solenoid valve for dispensing water at room temperature 6 and enters the coil 7. [0151] f. The water exits the coil 7 and enters the solenoid valve for dispensing cold water 8. [0152] g. The water exits the solenoid valve for dispensing cold water 8 and enters the carbonator 12. [0153] h. The water exits the carbonator 12 and enters the solenoid valve for dispensing carbonated water 13. [0154] i. All the dispensing solenoid valves are connected in parallel via a collector connected to the dispensing nozzle 10.

[0155] Also illustrated in the figure is the cooling system 17, common to all the described embodiments.

[0156] Downstream of the filter 5 are connected, preferably in series, a germicidal led lamp module of the UV-C type 15 and an ion enrichment module 16 of the Ag/Cu type.

[0157] The UV-C 15 module performs a localised reduction of the suspended biomass, decreasing the circulating bacterial load to zero.

[0158] The ion enrichment module 16 releases active elements such as Ag+ and Cu+ ions into the circuit.

[0159] The ion enrichment module 16 is based on the concept of controlled electrolysis, with the release of metal ions from the anode to the cathode. The deposition of metal ions on the cathode is prevented by polarity reversal and by mechanical action carried out by the water flow.

[0160] There are two pairs of copper electrodes 160 and silver electrodes 161 with independent control circuits. The present invention prevents the complete flow of ions from one electrode to the other both through the pressure of the water flow, through the pump 4 that drags the ions into the hydraulic circuit, and because the ion enrichment module 16 is configured to perform an alternating polarization of the electrodes 160 and 161.

[0161] In particular, the electrodes 160 and 161 are alternately polarized if the pump 4 is switched on and, however, the polarization has a very short period (calculated on the basis of the flow rate and pressure of the water) that prevents the formation of colloids (the colloids have no biocidal effect) and the deposition of oxides on the negative electrode or of salts.

[0162] Silver and copper rods will wear away slowly without surface deposits (oxides and salts) and without suspended colloids that would prevent or reduce the enrichment of water ions.

[0163] The water conductivity measurements carried out by appropriate probes inserted in different points of the circuit (upstream and downstream of the filter) guarantee a real-time control of the presence of metal ions and any colloids in order to guarantee the maximum biocidal benefits without impacts on water quality and safety.

[0164] Additionally, electrodes 160 and 161 are always polarized in pairs of the same metal (CuCu and AgAg) and never simultaneously. The electrodes are driven through a FULL H BRIDGE type driver that allows the electrodes to become alternately positive or negative (null potential with respect to the power supply of the dispenser or, for larger flow plants, possibly connected to the ground of the electrical system) and, when the complementary torque is active, remain de-energized in the float potential state.

[0165] An enrichment is referred to here, and not of a water ionizer because the release of ions is controlled, the ion flow is not complete and the electrolysis cycle is prevented (there is no generation of 02 or H2 except in a minimal way and in any case mixed in the water flow).

[0166] In addition, since there is no separator (electrolytic cell) of positive and negative ions downstream, there is no mention of alkaline ionized water or acidic water, being the H+ and OH ions (generated by the same enrichment) mixed in the flow.

[0167] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment with a configuration with re-introduction of water into the hydraulic circuit and internal filter 5 similarly to that illustrated in FIG. 3. This embodiment is provided with a germicidal lamp module 15 and ion enrichment module 16 as shown in FIG. 7 and a water conductivity probe 14. This and other probes and sensors can also be provided in the other embodiments.

[0168] It is possible to configure the control unit, not shown in the figure, to measure some parameters such as quantity and type of water dispensed, time interval between the dispensing phases, ambient temperature, salinity, to determine the condition of risk of bacterial growth.

[0169] The present invention significantly reduces the risks of bacterial growth and biofilm formation using two main factors: [0170] reducing the staticity of the water, [0171] reducing the temperature of the water contained in the internal water circuits of the water distributor, [0172] lowering the temperature of the internal or external filter, [0173] controlling the pH of the water.

[0174] Part of the water circuits inside the water distributor involving the cold still water and consequently the water contained therein, in particular that contained in the coil of the exchanger 7, are maintained at a controlled temperature of 4 C., therefore in bacteriostatic condition.

[0175] The carbonated water is usually stored in a pressurized tank called a carbonator 12 which is also normally chilled to 4 C. Carbonated water is less affected by the risk of increased bacterial load due to the presence of carbonic acid obtained by combining water with CO2 (low pH).

[0176] The present invention involves the use of still cold water and carbonated cold water to condition the temperature and water in the non-refrigerated water distributor circuits, including the filter 5.

[0177] As described above, the water circuits in the water distributor are connected in cascade to each other; using this hydraulic scheme, the carbonator charge pump 12 is also used to recirculate the cold water contained in the coil exchanger 7 in the circuits of the internal and external water distributor including the activated carbon filter 5, in order to reduce the temperature of the components and the water contained therein.

[0178] The recirculation of water is made possible thanks to the addition of a bypass solenoid valve 100 that allows the pump, when operating in recirculation mode, to take cold water from the outlet of the coil exchanger and pump it into the circuit by making it recirculate therein.

[0179] Activation of this function can be automatically controlled by the control unit by controlling the parameters described above.

[0180] The recirculation function significantly reduces the formation of biofilm; in fact, in addition to lowering the temperature of the hydraulic circuits of the non-chilled WD, it eliminates the staticity of the water, a determining factor for the formation of the biofilm.

[0181] It is possible to provide the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 with the configurations of the embodiments of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, in particular with the external filter 5.

[0182] While the invention is subject to various modifications and alternative constructions, some preferred embodiments have been shown in the drawings and described in detail.

[0183] It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated but rather the aim is to cover all the modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.