U.S. patent application number 10/173133 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-17 for method and apparatus for disinfecting a refrigerated water cooler reservoir and its dispensing spigot(s).
Invention is credited to Shelton, James J..
Application Number | 20030071069 10/173133 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27128637 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030071069 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shelton, James J. |
April 17, 2003 |
Method and apparatus for disinfecting a refrigerated water cooler
reservoir and its dispensing spigot(s)
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing sanitized water in a
cabinet and spigot type bottled water dispenser features an ozone
generating system to generate ozone for sanitizing the water. Ozone
is generated and collected within an ozone generator housing. A
blower transmits air to the ozone generator housing. The air
carries the ozone that is generated through a flow line to an air
diffuser that is positioned upstream of the spigot (or spigots)
used to dispense water. In one embodiment, a valve that is
activated on the spigot to dispense water also activates the blower
and ozone generator. In other embodiments, a flow sensor activates
the ozone generator and blower. Various spigot and flow sensor
arrangements are disclosed as a part of the overall apparatus and
method.
Inventors: |
Shelton, James J.;
(Pontchatoula, LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GARVEY SMITH NEHRBASS & DOODY, LLC
THREE LAKEWAY CENTER
3838 NORTH CAUSEWAY BLVD., SUITE 3290
METAIRIE
LA
70002
|
Family ID: |
27128637 |
Appl. No.: |
10/173133 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10173133 |
Jun 17, 2002 |
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09996328 |
Nov 28, 2001 |
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09996328 |
Nov 28, 2001 |
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09881796 |
Jun 15, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/190 ;
222/146.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 9/005 20130101;
C02F 2201/782 20130101; B67D 2210/00023 20130101; C02F 1/78
20130101; B67D 2210/00013 20130101; C02F 1/685 20130101; C02F
2209/005 20130101; C02F 2209/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/190 ;
222/146.6 |
International
Class: |
B67D 005/58 |
Claims
1. A water dispenser, comprising: a) a cabinet having upper and
lower end portions and an interior; b) reservoir contained within
the cabinet, the reservoir containing water with a water surface;
d) one or more spigots in fluid communication with the reservoir
for dispensing water, each spigot having a manually operable member
that opens the spigot to dispense water from the spigot; d) a
refrigeration system for cooling water within the reservoir; e) an
ozone generator housing supported next to the cabinet, said cabinet
having an ozone generator inside the housing; f) a diffuser
contained within the reservoir for emitting bubbles into the
reservoir, said diffuser comprising an ozone resistant polymeric
tube having a tube wall surrounding a central flow bore and a
plurality of openings in the tube wall, diffuser segments being
mounted in the openings; g) and air flow lines for transmitting air
to and from the housing interior and to the reservoir.
2. The water dispenser of claim 1 wherein ozone is generated by the
generator responsive to operation of one of the spigot valves.
3. The water dispenser of claim 1 wherein the ozone generator is
activated when the spigot handle is manually operated.
4. The water dispenser of claim 1 wherein the spigot has an
electrical switch that is activated when the handle is operated,
the switch being coupled to the ozone generator.
5. The water dispenser of claim 1 wherein the reservoir includes a
generally vertical sidewall and the diffuser ring is positioned to
discharge bubbles against the sidewall so that the sidewall is
scrubbed with ozone bubbles during use.
6. The water dispenser of claim 1 wherein the ozone generator
generates sufficient ozone to sterilize the water in the reservoir
by bubbling air upwardly a distance of just a few inches.
7. The water dispenser of claim 1 further comprising means for
enabling the ozone generator to continue to generate air flow into
said ozone generator housing and air diffuser via first and second
air flow lines for selected time after the ozone generator has been
deactivated.
8. The water dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a transformer
for generating high voltage electricity for the ozone
generator.
9. The water dispenser of claim 1 wherein the replenishing means
includes a central water inlet and the diffuser ring is spaced
horizontally away from the water inlet.
10. The water dispenser of claim 1 wherein the polymeric tube is a
soft polymeric tube.
11. The water dispenser of claim 1 wherein the polymeric tube is a
food grade polymeric tube.
12. The water dispenser of claim 1 wherein the polymeric tube is a
silicone tube.
13. The water dispenser of claim 12 wherein the silicone tube is of
a food grade silicone material.
14. A bottled water dispenser, comprising: a) a cabinet having an
interior having a water dispensing system that includes a reservoir
for holding water to be dispensed; b) the water dispensing system
including a valved spigot on the cabinet for valving the flow of
water to be dispensed from the reservoir; c) an ozone generator
housing supported by the cabinet, said housing having an ozone
generator inside the housing and one or more air flow lines for
transmitting air to and from the housing interior; d) One of the
air flow line connecting the housing interior with the water
dispensing system; e) one of the air flow lines communicating with
a diffuser that is positioned within the reservoir below the
waterline, said diffuser comprising an elongated flexible soft
polymeric tube having a tube wall surrounding a tube lumen and a
plurality of openings in the tube wall; and f) a plurality of
diffuser elements mounted in the tube wall, an element being
attached to the tube wall at an opening.
15. The water dispenser of claim 14 wherein the diffuser is
positioned around the side of the reservoir at the bottom of the
reservoir.
16. The water dispenser of claim 14 wherein the diffuser tube is
generally circular.
17. The water dispenser of claim 14 wherein the diffuser tube is
generally rectangular.
18. The water dispenser of claim 14 wherein the reservoir has a
center portion and a plurality of the diffuser elements are
openings positioned to direct air containing ozone emissions away
from the center portion of the reservoir.
19. The water dispenser of claim 14 wherein the reservoir includes
a generally vertical sidewall and a plurality of the diffuser
elements are positioned to discharge bubbles against the sidewall
so that the sidewall is scrubbed with ozone bubbles during use.
20. The water dispenser of claim 14 wherein the ozone generator
generates sufficient ozone to sterilize the water in the reservoir
by bubbling air upwardly a distance of just a few inches.
21. The water dispenser of claim 14 further comprising means for
enabling the ozone generator to continue to generate air flow into
said ozone generator housing and air diffuser via first and second
air flow lines for selected time after the ozone generator has been
deactivated.
22. The water dispenser of claim 14 further comprising a
transformer for generating high voltage electricity for the ozone
generator.
23. The water dispenser of claim 10 wherein the replenishing means
includes a central water inlet and the diffuser ring is spaced
horizontally away from the water inlet.
24. A method of sanitizing water dispenser having a cabinet with
water supply that includes a reservoir, and an operable spigot on
the cabinet enables water to be dispensed from the cabinet and its
water supply comprising the steps of: a) generating ozone with an
ozone generator; b) collecting the generated ozone inside of an
ozone generator housing; c) transmitting ozone from the ozone
generator housing to the water supply reservoir so that bubbles
rise upwardly in the reservoir; and d) wherein in step "c" the
ozone enters the reservoir via a plurality of diffuser elements
that are mounted in the wall of a polymeric tube that has a tube
wall surrounding a tube lumen.
25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of spacing
the diffuser element from the center of the reservoir so that ozone
from the diffuser scrubs the reservoir wall.
26. The method of claim 24 wherein bubbles rise upwardly in the
reservoir a distance of between about two and ten inches.
27. The method of claim 24 wherein bubbles rise upwardly a distance
of between about four and eight inches.
28. The method of claim 24 wherein the ozone generated in step "b"
is spike ozonation that is generated for a duration of between
about one and five minutes.
29. The method of claim 24 wherein the ozone generated in step "b"
is spike ozonation that is generated for a duration of between
about two and three minutes.
30. The method of claim 27 wherein the ozone generated in step "b"
is spike ozonation that is generated for a duration of between
about one and three minutes.
31. The method of claim 24 wherein a plurality of the diffuser
elements are of sintered metal and further comprising the step of
controlling bubble size with the porosity of the sintered
metal.
32. The water dispenser of claim 24 wherein a plurality of the
diffuser elements are of porous ceramic material and further
comprising the step of controlling bubble size with the porosity of
the ceramic.
33. The water dispenser of claim 31 wherein the sintered metal is
an ozone resistant titanium metal.
34. The water dispenser of claim 32 wherein the ceramic material is
an insoluble dry ceramic material.
35. The water dispenser of claim 24 wherein a plurality of the
diffuser elements are of a flanged button shape.
36. The water dispenser of claim 24 wherein a plurality of the
diffuser elements are of a conical button shape.
37. A water dispenser, comprising: a) a cabinet having upper and
lower end portions and an interior; b) reservoir contained within
the cabinet, the reservoir containing water with a water surface;
c) one or more spigots in fluid communication with the reservoir
for dispensing water, each spigot having a manually operable member
that opens the spigot; d) an ozone generator housing supported next
to the cabinet, said cabinet having an ozone generator inside the
housing; e) a diffuser contained within the reservoir for emitting
bubbles into the reservoir, said diffuser comprising an ozone
resistant polymeric tube having a tube wall surrounding a central
flow bore and a plurality of openings in the tube wall, diffuser
segments being mounted in the openings; f) and air flow lines for
transmitting air to and from the housing interior and to the
reservoir.
38. The water dispenser of claim 37 wherein ozone is generated by
the generator responsive to operation of one of the spigot
valves.
39. The water dispenser of claim 37 wherein the ozone generator is
activated when the spigot handle is manually operated.
40. The water dispenser of claim 38 wherein the spigot has an
electrical switch that is activated when the handle is operated,
the switch being coupled to the ozone generator.
41. The water dispenser of claim 38 wherein the reservoir includes
a generally vertical sidewall and the diffuser ring is positioned
to discharge bubbles against the sidewall so that the sidewall is
scrubbed with ozone bubbles during use.
42. The water dispenser of claim 37 wherein the ozone generator
generates sufficient ozone to sterilize the water in the reservoir
by bubbling air upwardly a distance of just a few inches.
43. The water dispenser of claim 37 wherein the diffuser includes a
member having a flow passage and slots through the membrane member
that transmit ozone to a surrounding reservoir.
44. The water dispenser of claim 37 further comprising a
transformer for generating high voltage electricity for the ozone
generator.
45. The water dispenser of claim 37 wherein the replenishing means
includes a central water inlet and the diffuser ring is spaced
horizontally away from the water inlet.
46. The water dispenser of claim 37 wherein the polymeric tube is a
soft polymeric tube.
47. The water dispenser of claim 37 wherein the polymeric tube is a
food grade polymeric tube.
48. The water dispenser of claim 37 wherein the polymeric tube is a
silicone tube.
49. The water dispenser of claim 37 wherein the silicone tube is a
food grade silicone material.
50. A bottled water dispenser, comprising: a) a cabinet having an
interior having a water dispensing system that includes a reservoir
for holding water to be dispensed; b) the water dispensing system
including a valved spigot on the cabinet for valving the flow of
water to be dispensed from the reservoir; c) an ozone generator
housing supported by the cabinet, said housing having an ozone
generator inside the housing and one or more air flow lines for
transmitting air to and from the housing interior with the water
dispensing system; d) one of the air flow liens connecting the
housing interior with the water dispensing system; e) one of the
air flow lines communicating with a diffuser that is positioned
within the reservoir below the waterline, said diffuser comprising
an elongated flexible soft polymeric tube having a tube wall
surrounding a tube lumen and a plurality of openings in the tube
wall; and f) a plurality of diffuser elements mounted in the tube
wall, each element being attached to the tube wall at an
opening.
51. The water dispenser of claim 50 wherein the diffuser is
positioned around the side of the reservoir at the bottom of the
reservoir.
52. The water dispenser of claim 50 wherein the diffuser tube is
generally circular.
53. The water dispenser of claim 50 wherein the diffuser tube is
generally rectangular.
54. The water dispenser of claim 50 wherein the reservoir has a
center portion and a plurality of the diffuser elements are
openings positioned to direct air containing ozone emissions away
from the center portion of the reservoir.
55. The water dispenser of claim 50 wherein the reservoir includes
a generally vertical sidewall and a plurality of the diffuser
elements are positioned to discharge bubbles against the sidewall
so that the sidewall is scrubbed with ozone bubbles during use.
56. The water dispenser of claim 50 wherein the ozone generator
generates sufficient ozone to sterilize the water in the reservoir
by bubbling air upwardly a distance of just a few inches.
57. The water dispenser of claim 50 further comprising means for
enabling the ozone generator to continue to generate air flow into
said ozone generator housing and air diffuser via first and second
air flow lines for selected time after the ozone generator has been
deactivated.
58. The water dispenser of claim 50 further comprising a
transformer for generating high voltage electricity for the ozone
generator.
59. The water dispenser of claim 50 wherein the replenishing means
includes a central water inlet and the diffuser ring is spaced
horizontally away from the water inlet.
60. A method of sanitizing water dispenser having a cabinet with
water supply that includes a reservoir, and an operable spigot on
the cabinet enables water to be dispensed from the cabinet and its
water supply comprising the steps of: a) generating ozone with an
ozone generator; b) collecting the generated ozone inside of an
ozone generator housing; c) transmitting ozone from the ozone
generator housing to the water supply reservoir so that bubbles
rise upwardly in the reservoir; and d) wherein in step "c" the
ozone enters the reservoir via a plurality of diffuser elements
that are mounted in the wall of a polymeric tube that has a tube
wall surrounding a tube lumen.
61. The method of claim 60 further comprising the step of spacing
the diffuser element from the center of the reservoir so that ozone
from the diffuser scrubs the reservoir.
62. The method of claim 60 wherein bubbles rise upwardly in the
reservoir a distance of between about two and ten inches.
63. The method of claim 60 wherein bubbles rise upwardly a distance
of between about four and eight inches.
64. The method of claim 60 wherein the ozone generated in step "b"
is spike ozonation that is generated for a duration of between
about one and five minutes.
65. The method of claim 60 wherein the ozone generated in step "b"
is spike ozonation that is generated for a duration of between
about two and three minutes.
66. The method of claim 60 wherein the ozone generated in step "b"
is spike ozonation that is generated for a duration of between
about one and three minutes.
67. The method of claim 60 wherein a plurality of the diffuser
elements are of sintered metal and further comprising the step of
controlling bubble size with the porosity of the sintered
metal.
68. The water dispenser of claim 60 wherein a plurality of the
diffuser elements are of porous ceramic material and further
comprising the step of controlling bubble size with the porosity of
the ceramic.
69. The water dispenser of claim 60 wherein the sintered metal is
an ozone resistant titanuim metal.
70. The water dispenser of claim 60 wherein the ceramic material is
an insoluble dry ceramic.
71. The water dispenser of claim 60 wherein a plurality of the
diffuser elements are of a flanged button shape.
72. The water dispenser of claim 60 wherein a plurality of the
diffuser elements are of a conical button shape.
73. A bottled water dispenser, comprising: a) a cabinet having
upper and lower end portions; b) a reservoir contained within the
cabinet, the reservoir containing water with a water surface; c) a
diffuser that occupies the reservoir, for emitting bubbles into the
reservoir: d) one or more spigots on the cabinet for dispensing
water from the reservoir; e) an ozone generator housing positioned
next to the cabinet, said housing having an ozone generator inside
the housing; f) air flow lines for transmitting air between the
ozone generator and the diffuser; and g) a pump that pumps air from
the housing to the diffuser via the flow lines; and h) wherein the
pump output is between about 1-10 liters per minute.
74. The bottled water dispenser of claim 73 wherein pump output is
between about 1.5-2.0 liters per minute.
75. The bottled water dispenser of claim 73 wherein the pump is a
variable airflow motorized diaphragm pump.
76. The bottled water dispenser of claim 73 wherein at least one of
the spigots has ports that receive ozone via a flow line.
77. The bottled water dispenser of claim 76 wherein the ports
include a port having a diffuser.
78. The bottled water dispenser of claim 77 wherein the diffuser is
removable.
79. The bottled water dispenser of claim 73 wherein the pump is an
electromagnetic pump.
80. The bottled water dispenser of claim 73 wherein the pump has a
maximum shut in pressure of about 34 kPa.
81. The bottled water dispenser of claim 73 wherein the pump has an
open flow pressure of about 0.7 kPa.
82. The bottled water dispenser of claim 73 wherein the diffuser
has a median pore size of about 10-60 microns.
83. The bottled water dispenser of claim 73 wherein the diffuser
has a median pore size of about 10-40 microns.
84. The bottled water dispenser of claim 73 wherein the diffuser is
of a material that has pores and pore channels and wherein the pore
channels have a spacing that prevents bubble stream lateral
coalescing over about 10-35% of surface area.
85. The bottled water dispenser of claim 73 wherein the diffuser is
of a low pressure diffuser material veneered with high surface
energy to water interfacial tension ratios for generating smaller
bubbles.
86. The bottled water dispenser of claim 73 wherein the diffuser
generates bubbles that have a diameter of between about 0.25-0.90
millimeters.
87. The bottled water dispenser of claim 73 wherein the diffuser
generates bubbles that have a rise velocity of between about
4.3-15.2 centimeters per second.
88. A bottled water dispenser, comprising: a) a cabinet having
upper and lower end portions and a spigot for dispensing water; b)
reservoir contained within the cabinet, the reservoir containing
water; c) a channel that transmits water from the reservoir to the
spigot; d) a diffuser for emitting bubbles into the reservoir; e)
an ozone generator module positioned next to the cabinet, said
generator including a housing having an ozone generator inside the
housing, and a blower for generating air flow; f) a piping system
for piping ozone from the housing to the diffuser; and g) an
adjustable flow meter valve that meters the flow of air generated
by the blower.
89. The bottled water dispenser of claim 88 wherein the flow meter
valve is temperature sensitive to change flow rates based upon air
and ozone temperature that flows in the piping system and through
the flow meter.
90. The bottled water dispenser of claim 88 wherein the flow meter
valve increases ozone concentration.
91. The bottled water dispenser of claim 88 wherein the valve
regulates the production of optimum bubble size by elimination of
larger bubbles.
92. The bottled water dispenser of claim 91 wherein the valve
regulates the production of optimum bubble size by elimination of
larger bubbles to thereby reduce or eliminate bubble coalescing to
larger, non-optimal bubble sizes.
93. The bottled water dispenser of claim 88 wherein the diffuser
and pump are configured to emit only bubbles that do not expand
significantly during rise up through the reservoir.
94. The bottled water dispenser of claim 88 wherein the flow meter
valve is capable of delivering air flow of between 0-2 liters per
minute.
95. The bottled water dispenser of claim 88 wherein the flow meter
valve is capable of delivering air flow of between 0.05-0.5 liters
per minute.
96. The bottled water dispenser of claim 73 wherein the diffuser is
of a sintered metal material.
97. The bottled water dispenser of claim 88 wherein the diffuser is
of a sintered metal material.
98. The bottled water dispenser of claim 88 wherein the pump
generates air flow through the housing of between about 0.05-1.0
liters per minute and the diffuser generates bubbles of a diameter
that averages between about 0.25-0.90 millimeters.
99. A method of sanitizing a bottled water dispenser having a
cabinet with a dispensing spigot, a reservoir and a channel that
connects the spigot and reservoir, comprising the steps of: a)
generating ozone with an ozone generator that is positioned next to
the cabinet; b) collecting the generated ozone inside of an ozone
generator housing; c) providing an ozone diffuser inside the
reservoir; and d) transmitting ozone from the ozone generator
housing to the diffuser at a flow rate that elevates ozone levels
in the reservoir of between about 0.1-0.8 mg per liter of dissolved
ozone.
100. The method of claim 99 wherein in step "d" the diffuser
generates bubbles that average between about 10-60 microns in
diameter.
101. The method of claim 99 wherein in step "d" the diffuser
generates bubbles having a median diameter of between 0.1-2.0
mm.
102. The method of claim 99 wherein the diffuser generated bubbles
that have a rise velocity of between about 4.3-15.2 centimeters per
second.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/996,328, filed Nov. 28, 2001, which is a
continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/881,796 filed Jun. 15, 2001.
[0002] Priority is hereby claimed to each of the above-referenced
applications.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0003] Not applicable
REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX"
[0004] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] 1. Field of the Invention
[0006] The present invention relates to bottled water (preferably
refrigerated) dispensers, and more particularly to an improved
bottled water dispenser for dispensing water that has been
sanitized using ozone and more particularly to an improved method
and apparatus for sanitizing water that is to be dispensed from a
water cooler of the type having a cabinet with one or more spigots
that are manually operable to dispense water from a reservoir water
supply that is hidden inside the cabinet, and wherein air diffusers
of improved configuration are disclosed that can be used to diffuse
air into the reservoir.
[0007] 2. General Background of the Invention
[0008] There are several types of cabinet type water dispensers in
use today. One of the most common types of such water dispensers is
a floor standing cabinet having an open top that receives a large
inverted bottle. The bottle is typically of a plastic or glass
material having a constricted neck. The bottle is turned upside
down and placed on the top of the cabinet with the neck of the
bottle extending into a water filled reservoir so that the water
seeks its own level in the reservoir during use. As a user draws
water from a spigot dispenser, the liquid level in the reservoir
drops until it falls below the neck of the bottle at which time
water flows from the bottle and bubbles enter the bottle until
pressure has equalized. Inverted bottle type water dispensers are
sold by a number of companies in the United States and elsewhere.
Many are refrigerated.
[0009] Other types of water dispensers have an outer cabinet that
contains a reservoir or water supply. These other types of water
dispensers having a cabinet include one type that stores a large
bottle (such as three or five gallon) at the bottom of the cabinet.
A pump transfers water from the large bottle to the reservoir. At
the reservoir, the water is typically refrigerated.
[0010] Another type of water dispenser simply connects a water
supply (eg. city water, well water) directly to a reservoir that is
hidden inside the cabinet. A float valve or other water level
controller can be provided to insure that the reservoir is always
filled with water but does not overflow. Water that is transferred
from city water, well water or another source can be filtered or
otherwise treated before being transmitted to the reservoir.
[0011] All of these types of water dispensers that employ cabinets
typically have one or more water dispensing spigots on the outside
of the cabinet. These spigots are typically manually operated, but
can be automatically operated. For example, water vending machines
dispense after a consumer pays for water. The water is
automatically dispensed when coins are fed to the machine.
[0012] One of the problems with cabinet style water dispensers is
that of cleansing the reservoir from time to time. Because the
reservoir is not air tight, it breathes so that bacteria can easily
enter the reservoir over a period of time. The reservoirs are
typically contained within the confines of the cabinet and are not
easily accessed and cleaned by consumers or end users.
[0013] For inverted bottle type dispensers, in addition to the
problem of an open top, the five gallon bottles are themselves a
source of bacteria and germs. Most of these bottles are transported
on trucks where the bottles are exposed to outside air. They are
handled by operators that typically grab the bottle at the neck,
the very part of the bottle that communicates with the open
reservoir during use. Unfortunately, it is difficult to convince
every person that handles these bottles to wash their hands
frequently enough.
[0014] In order to properly sanitize such a water dispenser or
cooler, the user must carefully clean the neck of the bottle prior
to combining the bottle with the cabinet. Further, the user should
drain and sanitize the reservoir from time to time. The cleansing
of the reservoir in such a water dispenser is a time consuming
project that is typically not performed at regular intervals.
[0015] The dispensing spigots that are provided on common cabinet
type water dispensers can also be a source of contamination. These
spigots are typically manually operated and are therefore a source
of contamination from the users that operate them. Very small
children have also been known to drink directly from the spigot,
probably because the spigot is located at a distance above the
ground that closely matches the elevation of a child's mouth at an
early age. Therefore, sanitation of the spigots as well as the
reservoir should be a part of routine maintenance.
[0016] Process ozone diffusion by bubble reactor method in small
static volumes of water with abbreviated water columns to diffused
ozone levels satisfactory to disinfect microorganisms in brief time
periods can be difficult to achieve. The chief hurdle involved is
ozone diffusion contact surface area and time. The present
invention is directed to an economical means of overcoming each of
the factors that limit process ozone's potential disinfecting
capacity. It is concerned with the optimization of each point in
small automated ozonation systems both upstream and downstream from
the ozonator. The object of this effort is to devise a single,
economical, high longevity system capable of sanitizing all of the
shapes and sizes of water dispensers in use today.
[0017] Until recently, the ozone water and related equipment
sanitization and disinfection industry has been geared to large
scale commercial, industrial and municipal applications not under
space or equipment cost restraint. However, a growing demand for
suitable sized ozone equipment with economy of scale for addressing
less demanding, small sanitization and disinfection applications
like water dispenser device sanitization has surfaced.
[0018] The chief difference between small and large applications is
small applications are typically concerned with ozonating small,
fixed, static volumes of water over adjustable dwell time intervals
until adequate levels of disinfection or sanitization are achieved
as opposed to large applications ozonation of continuously
exchanged, large water volumes. The lowered number of variables
offered by reduced temperature, static water volumes ozonated over
time is the only built-in advantage available to small
applications. During the process of re-engineering equipment and
reducing costs to fit small application needs, it was found that
beyond basic principles, much of the available industrial
technology proved of limited value.
[0019] Attempts at using prior art to address small applications
have resulted in either failure to achieve minimal levels of
sanitization or where success was achieved, systems that could not
remain cost competitive.
[0020] A number of factors influencing ozone diffusion into water
by bubble reactor methods and their technical limitations related
to small applications follows. Due to cost and space constraints
small applications are limited to the use of small ambient air fed
ozonators capable of generating less than 1% by weight ozone. This
is contrasted by large scale applications' use of chilled LOX fed
ozonators capable of generating up to 12% ozone by weight. Ozone is
much more soluble in cold water than room temperature or warm
water. A particular small application has little control over this
factor. The water dispenser application is fortunate in the sense
that average water temperatures are in an optimal 4-8 degree
Celsius range. A large hurdle for small applications exhibiting
static water volumes with a short (i.e., a few inches) water column
is the ozone to water contact time. Bubble reactors usually vent
more process ozone than they diffuse. The available options are
longer dwell times, reduced airflow and smaller bubble size.
Compare an average water dispenser's 1-3 liter volume, 4-6 inch
water columns (0.15-0.21 psi back pressure), and 0.5-2 second
bubble contact time at 1% ozone concentration with a large scale
operation's 16-20 inches, 6-8.5 psi column's 15-20 second contact
time with 12% ozone by weight. Since small systems are chiefly
intermittent, auto-cyclic, programmable devices, this factor can be
optimized by critical dwell time control and use of variable output
ozonators for controlling both cycle width and ozone concentration
tailored to water species, water volume and column height.
Additional optimization is achieved by diffuser material choice and
controlled airflow. Since small systems are chiefly scheduled for
use in inside environments, over ozonation, using too high an ozone
concentration and venting of surplus process ozone to air raises an
air quality concern. It is imperative that small applications
optimization addresses this potential health hazard.
[0021] Small water dispenser applications (especially those using
inverted water bottle) cannot blow large volumes of ozonated air
into a small open systems bubble reactor reservoir containing a
small volumes of water without either causing air displacement
flooding of the reservoir or producing a substantial vapor phase
that vents most of the water from the reservoir and reserve by
evaporation. An additional difficulty is the loss of minimal head
pressure, production of a large bubble with inadequate surface
contact area resulting in a near total systems loss of process
ozone. These factors are subject to optimization and are key to
small applications success. Though large applications address flow
control through fine bubble diffusers, its use is confined to high
ozone concentration feed gas, fed through a high volume of fine
bubble diffusers primarily for oxidation of bio-solids in moving
volumes of water where bubble retention time is not critical. The
data does not deal with potable water disinfection or sanitization
parameters. Consequently the data on diffused gas to water and
diffuser area to water volume ratios do not apply to low ozone
concentration, time dependent small systems potable water
sanitization.
[0022] Diffuser materials producing smaller bubbles per unit
ozonated air volume exhibit a much greater surface area than like
volumes of large bubbles. The higher the surface area, the greater
the contact diffusion. Within limits, this factor can be optimized
and is one of the main keys to successful small applications.
[0023] Internal Bubble Pressure: Small bubbles produced by fine
bubble diffusers exhibit higher internal bubble pressures, hence
greater diffusion by pressure/temperature relationship. In
addition, their greater pressure retards their rise velocity, thus
increasing contact and pressure/temperature diffusion time and
affords higher structural integrity making them less subject to
expansion and coalescence. This factor is optimized by diffuser
material choice and control of airflow and is another key to
successful small applications.
[0024] While prior patents have addressed water dispenser ozonators
in general, various component, the present invention provides the
means for optimization of ozone diffusion utilizing unique airflow
control and diffuser technology. The purpose behind optimizing
airflow is primarily twofold: first, to increase air dwell time
across a cold plasma coronal discharge tube to increase ozone
concentration and second, to reduce the large bubble fraction
generated at the surface of a diffuser. The generation of small
bubble sizes in gas diffusion bubble reaction chambers in order to
increase surface area and contact time has long been an industry
dream. However, the lack of need generated by past engineering
success has caused industry to stop short of original goals.
[0025] Diffuser manufacturers have engineered small pore size, low
permeable diffusers that in some cases require greater pump
pressures for flow initiation. Higher pressure materials are not
optimal for small low pressure/volume open systems applications as
they decrease pump life and often do not supply an adequate volume
of small bubbles for ozonation. Quite often, they are more subject
to pore plugging than lower initial bubble pressure materials. The
author's testing indicates that different manufacturer processing
techniques for a single given media exhibiting identical mean
particle and resulting pore size generate large variations in a
diffuser's initial bubble pressure where at lowered IBPs, a
diffuser will not only produce like sized bubbles, but a greater
quantity of bubbles for less work. As a rule, the lower internal
bubble pressure per same material and parameter diffuser will
exhibit a greater spacing between active surface pore channels.
Additionally, the less flow restricted material produces higher
volumes of like sized bubbles with reduced vertical bubble velocity
differentials and turbulence.
[0026] These preferred characteristics lead to decreased lateral
and vertical bubble coalescing, reduced bubble expansion and rise
rates, hence higher diffusion efficiency. Lower initial bubble
pressure materials require a greater wall thickness and surface
area to match the performance of higher initial bubble pressure
materials. Otherwise, bubble size will increase to non-optimal
proportions.
[0027] Conditions for minimal adverse bubble reactions in specific
mean pore diameter/internal bubble pressure diffuser material
producing specific bubble sizes at 0.05-1 liter/minute flow volumes
in water columns ranging from 1-50 inch heights, include active
pore spacings equaling thrice the bubble diameter both laterally
and vertically at the diffuser surface where mean pore to bubble
diameter ratio ranges from about 1:12.5 to 1:50. Application of
these ratios to media diffuser surface area is tied to performance
test treatment studies involving given water volumes and column
heights, independently varying airflow rates at known ozone
concentrations, and noting bubble size and bubble population size
with respect to dissolved ozone concentration over a given time
interval.
[0028] Once transfer efficiencies are determined for each
situation, variable diffuser surface area tests noting bubble size
and bubble population are performed and transfer efficiencies
determined. By comparing the various flow and time varying studies
against diffuser area studies and comparing bubble sizes and
populations, one arrives at the optimal diffuser material surface
area, flow rate and dwell time.
[0029] Prior art for commercial and industrial sized applications
represents a balance between bubble size and bubble volume.
Industry experience has been negatively influenced by
misapplication of fine pore size diffusers to high solids and TDS
fluids that promote rapid pore plugging, experience that crossed
over to low mineral and solids water species like potable water
disinfection. Furthermore, large commercial and industrial
applications could not afford downtime on dynamic systems that
operate 24 hours a day.
[0030] The use of very fine pore size diffusers application was
largely abandoned by wastewater and potable water treatment out of
past reservations and lack of research data for generating
optimally engineered materials. To date, the recent interest in
small applications has not triggered mainstream development of new
diffuser materials/geometry innovations.
[0031] Although diffuser manufacturers typically produce fine pore
diffusers to relatively homogeneous mean pore size standards, large
pore sizes that channel high air volumes away from the smaller
interconnected pore diameters occur in virtually every material
tested. This is often complicated by an inability to effectively
seal off material connection air leaks. Testing revealed that high
permeability channel flows are the first to terminate large bubble
production when airflow rates are reduced. This adjustment allows
existing diffusers to operate at near rated design capacity and
will serve as a stopgap measure until better solutions emerge. The
optimal diffuser-airflow balance of small bubbles with reduced
large bubble fraction displaying adequate remaining small bubble
volumes suitable for ozonation occurs at approximately 50% of open
flow rate on average for any given diffuser and water column
height. This air volume reduction approximately equals the large
gas bubble volume displaying poor diffusion characteristics.
[0032] The present invention thus provides an improved self
sanitizing water dispenser apparatus as well as a method for
generating ozone for cleaning the reservoir and the water contained
within it.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0033] The present invention provides a self sanitizing cabinet
type water dispenser that includes a cabinet having upper and lower
end portions, the upper end portion of the cabinet having a cover.
The upper end portion can house a reservoir that receives water
(eg. filtered) from a municipal water system, well, or from a
contained bottle. An upper opening can be provided in some models
for receiving and holding an inverted a bottle of water (e.g. 3-5
gallons ) to be dispensed. The bottle contains water to be
dispensed, and provides a neck portion and a dispensing outlet
portion.
[0034] A reservoir contained within the cabinet holds water to be
cooled and dispensed. A refrigeration system cools the water within
the reservoir. The reservoir can optionally be heated. A diffuser
(e.g. ring) emits bubbles into the reservoir, the diffuser being
disposed within the reservoir at the lower end portion thereof and
preferably next to the reservoir wall so that bubbles emitted by
the diffuser help scrub the reservoir wall.
[0035] An ozone generator is supported within the housing. Flow
lines communicate with an air pump to carry ozone from the ozone
generator housing to the diffuser. A blower generates flow and a
flow line connects the blower to the ozone generator housing. In
the preferred embodiment, ozone can be transmitted to the reservoir
or to a flow channel that is upstream of the water dispensing
spigot(s).
[0036] The spigot is provided with a switch for activating the
ozone generator for a selected time interval. The ozone generator
is activated for a selected time interval (e.g. a few minutes).
After the selected time interval, the ozone generator is shut off.
The air pump continues air flow for a time period (e.g. a few
minutes) in order to help disperse any odor of ozone. The air pump
is then shut off and the refrigeration system compressor starts
operation again to cool the water.
[0037] The diffuser can be a ring shape, positioned around the side
of the reservoir at the bottom of the reservoir. Such a ring
diffuser can be positioned close to the intersection of the
reservoir bottom wall and reservoir side wall. The diffuser can be
of a composite construction that includes a porous core that is
partially covered with a non-porous coating. The reservoir
preferably has a center portion and the diffuser ring preferably
has openings positioned to direct air away from the center portion
of the reservoir. The reservoir can include a generally vertical
side wall. The diffuser can be positioned to discharge bubbles
against the side wall so that the side wall is scrubbed with ozone
bubbles during sanitizing of the reservoir.
[0038] The ozone generator housing can be comprised of an upper
housing section, a lower housing section and a gasket positioned in
between the upper and lower sections. An ozone generator is
contained within the interior of the housing. Fittings on the
housing enable air to flow into and out of the housing. A blower
generates air flow to carry air into the ozone housing and from the
ozone generator housing to the air diffuser. Optionally, a HEPA
filter can be provided as the air intake removes airborne
microorganisms.
[0039] The present invention provides a compact, brief, high
intensity, automated ozonation cycle and water cooler sanitization
system and an improved ozone generating "tube" (see FIGS. 30-35).
The engineering function dictating compactness is the space
constraint of the insulated upper reservoir chilling compartment of
a typical cooler reservoir. The present invention provides a
self-contained ozonator module for achieving the shortest possible
delivery path of process ozone to an in-reservoir diffusion system
for minimizing chemically unstable ozone degradation losses and for
taking advantage of immediate proximity to the reservoir cooling
coil's lower air temperature as opposed to that of the compressor
compartment.
[0040] A final need for systems integration and compactness is unit
component cost, simplicity and reliability. The present invention
provides an apparatus that is simple, reliable, rugged, and cost
effective, and displays the ability to deliver a low cost,
concentrated stream of ozone to a diffusion system needed to
repeatedly "spike ozonate" small, changing static volumes of water
or to an on demand faucet dispensed water flow stream. With the
present invention, contact-diffusion brevity is imperative in
achieving levels of sanitization not previously possible by
micro-ozonation systems and small UV sanitization systems alike.
This level of ozone concentration from air fed mini-ozonators has
not been available for water cooler sanitization in the past, being
available only in bulky form requiring either chilled feed gas,
bottled oxygen or LOX as feed gas.
[0041] The present invention provides high output mini- and
micro-ozonators suitable for intermittent short cycle ozonation. In
this manner, in addition to cooler sanitation, the dispensed water
quality is assured of being sanitary for consumption at all times.
The present invention provides a spigot/faucet configured with a
microswitch connected to an ozonator power circuit causing circuit
activation during the time interval that the microswitch remains
depressed. Alternatively, a faucet can be configured so that if
depressed several times repeatedly, it signals a timer/controller
to activate an air pump and ozonator until released.
[0042] In another embodiment, a reservoir volume-pressure change
float sensor or air- or water-borne differential pressure
transducer can be mounted in the cooler reservoir, which can be
used to cause the ozonator to remain in operation until pressure
restabilizes after dispensing is terminated.
[0043] Ozone is supplied by an ozonator/pump to a faucet water
channel via flow stream to an additional diffuser located in the
spigot water channel. This construction injects small quantities of
diffused ozone into the flow stream for making and dispensing
freshly ozonated water without fear of an ozone in air safety
hazard. The safe and effective antiseptic properties of freshly
ozonated water are known and offer a safe and effective means for
sanitizing cooler exterior, drinking utensils or for neutralizing
potential biohazards and hazardous organic chemical spills.
[0044] The present invention provides an energy efficient, low
cost, intermittent repetitive reservoir and reservoir water spike
treatment with a concentrated ozone cycle activated either by
cooler compressor cycle or through timer/controller circuit with
cooler compressor remaining in operation, brief ozonation time to
bacteria-static levels followed by passive dissipation time
interval, cycling continuously over a 24 hour daily period, and/or
manual ozonator activation for dispensing freshly ozonated water,
ozonated to non-taste, non-harmful, bacteria-static levels. In this
fashion, no harmful bacteria is contained in the remaining bottled
water or cooler reservoir or water dispensed from a municipal
source fed point of use.
[0045] The present invention's higher outputs and alternative
cycling has been demonstrated effective in mixing transfer of
diffused ozone and resultant secondary peroxyl group residuals from
cooler reservoir water to water contained in water bottles over
time by standard indigo dye test where indigo dye is introduced
into a cooler reservoir, a water bottle containing water is added,
dye dissolves and transfers to a bottled water coloring the water
blue. After an ozonation cycle is run, the diffused ozone mixing
transfer to water bottle is observed when the oxidant sensitive dye
degrades and water color returns to transparent.
[0046] These new features extend the water service industry's
onsite automatic sanitization options to include not only cooler
reservoir and bottled water sanitization, but to faucet
watercourses and dispensed water as well. The same timer/controller
circuit found on auto-cycling cooler sanitizers with sufficient
micro-chip memory can be programmed to include both long cycle
compressor disconnect, ice ring melting, ozonation to antiseptic
conditions, subsequent dissipation, compressor reconnect and
intermittent repetitive bacteria-static cycle cooler sanitization
cycles as well as the manual override activated freshly ozonated,
dispensed water function.
[0047] Where only an intermittent spike ozonation cycle is
required, the timer circuit in some cases may be eliminated and a
more simple, cost effective ozonator-pump-diffuser set-up can be
installed on a cooler by power circuit attachment to the cooler
compressor so that pump and ozonator cycle with the cooling
cycle.
[0048] In the event a compressor cycle is longer than needed for
achieving antiseptic conditions, the above set-up may require a
simplified programmable timer/controller circuit that allows for
start-up with the compressor, but shuts off after a bacteria-static
diffused ozone level cycle width has occurred. The cycles that are
available with the present invention were not formerly possible or
provided for by prior art examples of retro-fitted or integral
auto-cycling water cooler air-fed micro-ozonator due to their
inability to achieve ozone concentrations and diffusion transfer
needed to "spike ozonate" a standard cooler's static two liter
volume maximum of water much less that of larger volume coolers
exceeding 1 gallon reservoir volumes or small dispensing flow
stream's flow rate maximum of 21/minute to at least bacteria-static
levels under the imposed time constraints.
[0049] The ozone concentration required to spike ozonate water with
the proper diffusion technology operating at low pressure is 3-4
times the output of the highest output prior art micro-ozonators
known to applicant, meaning a micro-ozonator capable of
continuously delivering 600-800 mg/hr ozone concentration in air
coupled to a state of the art low bubble pressure, micro-porous,
hydrophobic ceramic material diffuser (preferably of a ring shape)
mounted on the cooler reservoir bottom like that disclosed in prior
U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,690. The desired ozone output has been
accomplished by simple substitution of this discharge tube
embodiment for prior art in said prior art's power circuit
contained within its existing case.
[0050] The intermittent repetitive cycle widths for a cooler
micro-ozonator system activated by timer/controller circuit can be
based effectively on how different water species respond to ozone.
Acidic water species are easy to ozonate, but require more time for
diffused ozone to dissipate from the water to below taste levels,
whereas basic or alkaline water species resist ozonation and will
not hold diffused ozone for any length of time at any given water
temperature. Ideally, for a given cooler, reservoir water
temperature average of 40.degree. F., the intermittent, repetitive
cycle ozonation cycle should be based on the length of time it
takes to spike ozonate a pH 9 water volume to bacteria-static
levels with a dissipation time equal to that requiring pH 5.2
distilled water to be free of dissolved ozone content in order to
accommodate all water species using a single pre-programmed timer
cycle.
[0051] An additional factor of concern related to spike ozonation
cycles is the presence of bromine in source waters. Ozonation above
certain levels of diffused ozone in water converts bromine and
certain bromine compounds to bromate, a suspected carcinogen. FDA
Safe Drinking Water Act regulations have recently been amended to
include a maximum contaminant level for bromate in drinking water
of 10 mg/l, possible decreasing to 5 mg/l within a year. Ozone
oxidation of bromine to bromates is a function of ozone
concentration, exposure time, temperature and water pH.
[0052] The various solute bearing water species at risk for
oxidative conversion of bromine to bromate range in pH from 1-7,
more specifically fresh and processed water supplies of pH 5-7, the
range from distilled water through pH neutral mineral bearing water
sources commonly used in bottled product. Thus spike ozonation may
be the only safe, effective and cost effective means for
controlling bromate production in water undergoing ozonation while
achieving adequate levels of disinfection and/or sanitization.
Luckily, cooler water temperatures are low enough to alleviate some
of the potential difficulty. Water briefly spiked with ozone, held
at levels below the diffused ozone concentration threshold for
bromate production over brief intervals will result in minimal
production of bromates in waters containing elevated levels of
bromine and its compounds.
[0053] Spike ozonation can also be accomplished without a
timer/controller by altering a cooler's compressor cycles to
correspond to these timed cycles provided the alteration does not
adversely affect a cooler's ability to operate within its chill
water volume design parameters. If water remains in a cooler
reservoir unused over repeated cycles, the bacteria-static
oxidation level will move to a bactericidal oxidation state, as
more of the static biophage is rendered non-living and inert.
[0054] The present invention provides an improved coronal discharge
tube arrangement. Whereas a prior art 200 mg/hr ozonator is capable
of achieving bacteria-static diffused ozone levels in 1-2 liters of
water in 20 minutes with proper diffusion technology that may
better approximate a cooler chill cycle and offer better ozone
dissipation time through reduced diffused ozone quantity present in
water, said ozonator is incapable of spike ozonating a flow stream
of water dispensing from a cooler to any degree at all to form a
multi-function water cooler ozonation system or a system capable of
spike ozonating cooler reservoir water volumes to like
bacteria-static levels in under 5 minutes operating time and
allowing the remaining 15 minutes to be spent dissipating the ozone
to below taste levels.
[0055] The shorter the cycle widths, the greater the surety of
sanitized cooler and water. Additionally, said smaller output
miniozonators cannot effectively sanitize larger reservoir volume
coolers of the type whose water volumes exceeds one or more gallons
in a timely fashion. Poorly thought out and engineered past
attempts at ozone sanitizing water coolers include methods such as
continuous ozonation of water using low output small ozonators.
This effort has a threefold disadvantage. First the continuous
introduction of ozonated ambient air causes an added energy debt to
a compressor having to run all the time to cool the water, thus
effectively shortening compressor, ozonator and pump life.
Secondly, the continuous introduction of dust, organics and
micro-organisms found in air shortens discharge tube life and
unnecessarily introduces pollutants into the reservoir and
contained water, thus increasing oxidation load and rendering the
water potentially non-potable. If the discharge tube fails by
overheating caused by dust and/or moisture build-up on an electrode
or the dielectric, the system continuously introduces an
unoxidized, unsanitary load into the cooler reservoir or builds up
in the discharge tube to the point that the resulting blockage
causes pump failure. This is one reason why this embodiment offers
an inexpensive, quick-change throwaway, sanitary discharge tube
option that is far below the cost of the less expensive UV
sanitization system replacement tube requiring more frequent
replacement. Third, ozonators specified for this purpose frequently
have too small an output to oxidize the load found in water where
the small quantity of diffused ozone either dissipates or does not
have time to build to adequate levels to perform its function when
coolers are subject to heavy use.
[0056] In addition to air dielectric breakdown leading to
ionization, ozone generation by the coronal discharge method
generates light and heat. A portion of said light lies in the far
ultra-violet ionizing radiation spectrum and is responsible for
cleaving the diatomic oxygen molecular bond. This preparatory bond
cleaving is necessary for ozone formation. Such far UV ionizing
radiation light fraction can be conserved and recycled by
reflection. When a cylindrical mirrored reflecting surface is
employed, a dramatic increase in oxygen to ozone conversion
efficiency is noted over prior art.
[0057] In a further embodiment of the apparatus of the present
invention, a water dispenser is provided that includes a cabinet
having upper and lower end portions and an interior. A reservoir is
contained within the cabinet, the reservoir containing water with a
water surface. One or more spigots is in fluid communication with
the reservoir for dispensing water from the cabinet. Each spigot
preferably provides a manually operable valve handle that opens the
spigot to dispense water from the spigot.
[0058] A refrigeration system for cooling water within the
reservoir can be optionally provided. An ozone generator housing is
supported next to and preferably inside of the cabinet, the ozone
generator housing having an ozone generator inside and air flow
lines for transmitting air to and from the housing interior and to
the reservoir.
[0059] Air pumps that are used as part of the present invention
need be of sufficient capacity to overcome system pressure losses
and provide a continuous adequate volume of ozonated air necessary
to achieve water and reservoir surface disinfection within the
largest water dispensers and vending machines without causing
permanent deformation of pump materials, overheating or conditions
leading to premature capacity loss or failure. Automated systems
ozonating small static water volumes are designed for brief,
intermittent cyclic operation, conditions under which pumps are
given adequate time for thermal dissipation and elastic materials
recovery; therefore air pumps need not be of a type normally
associated with long-term continuous operation.
[0060] To preclude potential damage by back-feed of residual
process ozone after shutdown, only pump components specified as
ozone resistant are selected and claimed. Suitable ozone resistant
elastic materials include, for example, Viton and silicone polymers
and in less demanding applications the EPDM rubber material. Hard
ozone resistant components include 316 stainless steel, ceramics,
glasses and polymer materials such as polycarbonate, teflon, kynar
and certain formulations of polypropylene.
[0061] The present invention discloses high longevity, low volume,
low pressure air pump manufacturer parameter ratings proven
suitable for water dispenser sanitization application and include a
"shut in" pressure maximum of 5 psi, unrestricted open flow
pressure of 0.1 psi with unrestricted flow rates of between 1-10
L/minute, with an ideal range of between about 3.4-4 psi, and
optimally about 0.1 psi open flow with unrestricted flow rates
between about 1.2-4 L/minute. These pumps can be typically of the
100-110/220-240 VAC, 2-12 W, 50-60 Hz or 6-24 VAC or DC
electromagnetic, diaphragm type with or without built-in variable
flow control valve or variable motor speed flow control, low
voltage rotary AC or DC motor diaphragm type.
[0062] These pumps exhibit sufficient pressure to pump against all
systems losses and a water column hydrostatic head of 50"=1.8 psi
at mean sea level with surplus airflow for operation at elevations
above 10,000' under air flow rate control. We claim pumps with
these specifications for use with water dispenser sanitization
systems.
[0063] The present invention, in one embodiment extends the
acceptable diffuser design geometries while retaining the original
ring concept and function to allow for greater flexibility of ring
shapes and material types that conform to varying dimensions of
reservoirs and reservoir shapes found on different water dispensers
and defines specific range of diffuser materials parameters and
performance characteristics suitable for use with pumps of the
above listed pressures and outputs. It also teaches a new
materials, configuration and principles art for fine bubble
diffusers and diffusion.
[0064] One ring geometry alternative to a fixed, single material
design is a universal, flexible, segmented diffuser concept that
can be made in extended lengths, can easily be joined to other
lengths of the same material with common barbed fittings, can be
cross-cut to specific lengths and can be easily bent to conform to
any reservoir shape or dimension. This diffuser emits bubbles from
its exterior edge against the side walls of a water dispenser
reservoir for promoting a scrubbing action and inward and downward
convection water flow promoted by small bubble viscous drag of the
reservoir water fraction to aid in elimination of gas bubbles
entering bottles found on water dispenser types using an inverted
water bottle and all other types, for the extended purpose of
recycling slow or counter-rising very small bubble flow whose
dimensions are such that they do not rise appreciably like larger
bubbles, thus increasing bubble retention and ozone contact
time.
[0065] The present invention utilizes small diffuser material
segments, configured in cylindrical hat shaped tablets (see FIGS.
37A-37F) or stepped rectangular segments with radiused comers
having distinct ninety degree edges. These segments are embedded in
a continuous ozone resistant silicone or Viton elastic housing
material (see FIGS. 36-40). During the heat forming polymerization
process, liquid polymer feedstock is injected under pressure into a
mold cavity containing said segments. The silicone or Viton housing
conforms to the rugose surface of the segmented diffuser material
and edges, that upon cooling and removal from the mold. The polymer
body shrinks around the individual diffuser segment surfaces and
edges, forming a permanent pressure seal that encapsulates each
segment on all but the exterior flat face. The opposing face is
open to an interior, common airflow channel and a connection to an
air flow pump. A continuous air channel in connection with each
diffuser segment is provided in the diffuser encapsulating elastic
material. Sufficient space is provided between diffusers to allow
for flexibility with sufficient wall thickness so as to preclude
airflow restriction of the common airway supply channel and to
conform to upsets found on many types of water dispenser reservoir
bases. Once formed, extended lengths of the flexible material can
be either cut to desired length, or joined to other lengths end to
end and bent to configure to a specific reservoir near basal
cross-sectional dimension and T-barbed to ozonated air supply line.
Diffuser ring OD should be undersized by a minimum of 0.25 inches
to provide a sufficient annular gap between reservoir ID and
diffuser OD to minimize bubble coalescing after being emitted from
a diffuser via collision rebound off the reservoir wall back into
the diffuser face where bubbles are forming as well as supply an
annular channel guide for bubbles rising against reservoir wall and
convection water flow around diffuser.
[0066] Complete reservoir water volume toroidial convection flow is
the only type of turbulence acceptable to this embodiment. A food
grade and ozone proof diffuser material is specified for this
diffuser design that are porous fused alumina or silicon carbide
particles or porous sintered particle stainless steel or titanium.
The specific advantage of a flexible diffuser material manufactured
in long lengths is that application is not limited to a single
closed loop diameter of the material, but can be configured in
several wraps of the cost effective material in a flat coil to
provide more diffuser surface area when needed.
[0067] A second, alternative universal, flexible diffuser design
features a continuous thin, narrow strip of either food grade
sintered particle stainless steel or titanium metal diffuser
material. Normally these types of materials are subject to breakage
when bent. However, the availability of a newer thin strip or
ribbon configuration of this material, 1 mm in thickness across the
flats allows for bending to all but the tightest radiuses for
housing in either a thin walled, food grade stainless steel or
polymer backing with integral, common air channel. This design
displays the least cross-sectional dimensions possible of any
material for minimizing water displacement of reservoir water
fraction and ease of wrapping tight, flat heli-coils of the
material to the desired surface area requirement for any given
diffusion application. The advantage of wrapping additional loops
or having a narrow double sided diffuser surface area with desired
spacing between coils lies in surface area increase, avoidance of
bubble collision coalescing and promotion of multiple convection
water flows for better diffusion mixing and elimination of the
possibility of rising bubbles entering water bottles and generating
displacement dispenser flooding.
[0068] A third alternative diffuser media is an elastic tube
membrane diffuser. This media consists of a preferentially slotted
elastomeric tubing that is permeable to air and impermeable to
water, thus forming its own check-valve. Its chief advantages are
its flexibility and resistance to pore plugging. A small diameter,
thin walled elastic tubing, displaying several rows of offset slots
whose slot length is here specified at 0.25 mm or less, spaced 1-2
mm apart are inlet through one side of the tubing to form a
directional diffuser tubing that will blow 0.25 mm diameter or
less, non-coalescing bubble streams that instantly release from the
media. Instant release can be insured by a teflon coating of the
material's exterior surface. The material wall thickness is
preferably on the order of 0.25-0.5 mm to achieve the desired
results. A specified 3/8"-3/4" OD tubing is cut to length, bent to
conform to the reservoir perimeter with opposing ends configured to
a T-barb fitting, slots facing outwards toward the reservoir walls
to form the diffuser ring. Alternatively, a greater length is cut
and formed in a flat coiled arrangement if application calls for a
greater surface area diffuser. If sufficiently small tubing is
unavailable, short lengths of large diameter membrane diffuser
tubing may be used. The tubing is fitted over a ring housing
displaying a channel cross-section with flanges facing outward.
Tubing section placed over the open channel is then pressure sealed
along the edges of the channel by two snap rings applied to upsets
provided on the channel forming the elastic material's pressure
seal. A barb is let through one face of the channel ring's flats to
serve as an air supply connection to the common ring air
channel.
[0069] Acceptable diffuser materials suitable for water dispenser
sanitization applications can typically and will preferably exhibit
the following parameters and characteristics. Such diffusers have
an ability to function optimally at all water column heights under
consideration within the specified operating capacity range of air
pumps. They display the ability to produce an adequate volume of
small bubbles in a preferred size range of 0.1-1 mm diameters that
display the preferred rise rates of 1-10 cm/second to achieve good
bubble retention ozone contact time and the greatest level of
diffused ozone. Hard diffuser materials having this capacity under
air flow controls display mean surface pore size dimensions ranging
from 10-60 microns with wetted media initial bubble pressures
measured in air of between 0.1-0.7 psi when operating at air flow
volume rates of between 0.05-2 L/min depending on water column
height and volume being ozonated. The optimal parameter range is
from 10-50 micron mean pore size dimension, wet media initial
bubble pressures of 0.1-0.55 psi and flow rates between 0.1-0.5
L/min.
[0070] Where possible, use of hydrophilic, polar or nanoparticle
veneers applied over diffuser surfaces that do not close off pores
for increasing surface energy at the pore opening, thus promoting
small bubble production is recommended. Veneer thickness is minimal
and more or less protected by the pore indention to resist
abrasion. Since the light powder coating is minimal and does not
extend to any depth within the pore channel, the risk of pore
channel plugging or fouling or permeability restriction is
minimized. Applied veneers suitable for this purpose include, for
example, polar metal nano-particles, alumina, silica or silicon
carbide spherical nano-particles, zeolites or silica gel nano
materials fused to the exterior surface and ground off such that
their presence is limited to the area immediately around the pore
opening indentation. Such diffusers minimize the production volume
of large fast rising bubbles that generate eddy current turbulent
flow contributing to lateral and vertical bubble coalescing. Such
diffusers also minimize the vertical bubble flow velocity
differential that contributes to bubble stream coalescing that
occurs during the first 2 inches of bubble rise above a
diffuser.
[0071] The diffusers of the present invention present a new
principle of diffusion technology. Bubble reactors rely exclusively
on diffuser materials to generate bubbles for surface contacting of
a gas during buoyant rise through a water column. During
experimentation with various semi-permeable exterior mineral
coatings for directionally gating air bubble flow, a new phenomenon
was observed. Samples taken immediately below the bubble streams
emitted by the gated diffuser displayed anomalously high levels of
diffused ozone. Like non-permeable coated diffuser rings were
tested at the same points for comparison. The second group of
diffusers did not exhibit these same high levels of diffused ozone.
Examination of the non-glazed coatings revealed that they were
semi-permeable to water and wettable or hydrophilic in nature.
After the coating hydrated, it exhibited enough remaining
permeability to wick free water by capillary pressure back into the
diffuser material when assisted by the weight of the water column
working against the diffuser's internal air pressure. After a
period of operation in a water column, airflow through a permeable
diffuser material exhibits a tendency to dry out internally through
evaporation. It is not known if this evaporation includes the bound
water fraction, but certainly includes most of the free water
fraction. Measurements of diffused ozone concentrations taken in
static volumes of water over time normally exhibit an initial high
diffusion rate that levels off and flattens over time. Although
this is chiefly due to the gradual saturation of the fluid with
ozone, a percentage of it may be due to evaporation of water from
within the stone. The principle at work here is exposure of
evaporative cold water under pressure to an atmosphere of ozone gas
causing ozone saturated water vapor and free water phase within the
diffuser material being ejected along with bubbles. The saturated
free water and vapor phase is infinitely soluble compared to ozone
gas in water. We know that every vapor droplet that strikes the
liquid surface enters the liquid since it immediately experiences
large forces pulling it into the liquid. At any given vapor
temperature, the number of molecules per second striking the unit
area of the surface is proportional to the vapor pressure; thus,
immediate recondensation to a liquid phase occurs. Since ozone
dissolves better in cold water and at higher pressures, an ultra
high surface area cold vapor approach to ozone diffusion will yield
gas saturated vapor and resolution of the vapor phase back into the
liquid in brief time intervals.
[0072] Two diffuser technologies are revealed for capturing this
in- diffuser cold water vapor diffusion method. The first method
utilizes the passive approach of applied partial semi-permeable
capillary material coatings over an existing diffuser material
exterior surface for wicking moisture back into the diffuser mass,
assisted only by the water column. A particular diffuser material
is selected that exhibits an excess of surface area equaling
diffuser exposed surface to match water volume for bubble diffusion
plus the surface available for coating and estimated air flow rates
needed to achieve bubble diffusion mass transfer over unit time. A
coating that displays the needed permeability to water and
non-permeability to the pressurized air fraction is then applied.
This entails selection of a high surface energy coating placed
against a low surface energy diffuser material to achieve fluid
transfer back into the diffuser for resultant diffuser rewetting
when assisted by the specific water column pressure. A suitable
coating tailorable to both permeability requirements and addition
of hydrophilic or polar materials dispersed phase aggregates is the
HERA Corporation's cold process, alumno-silicate, micro-porous,
pseudo-ceramic, hydrolytic cement. This material eliminates the
need for additional kiln firing or sintering of the coating onto
the diffuser that might adversely affect permeability. In fact low
cost diffusers can be made exclusively from the material. Once
configured, continuous water circulation back into a diffuser and
generation of a cold water vapor phase by evaporation within the
diffuser is insured. The nano-droplet vapor phase exposed to an
atmosphere of ozone will produce a vapor saturated with ozone that
immediately transfers to the reactor's water volume when emitted
from the diffuser, greatly enhancing the diffusion efficiency of
the bubble reactor.
[0073] A second means disclosed is an active method for generating
the water vapor and ozone gas mixed phase within the diffuser
internal air supply cavity or chamber. Here both ozonated air and a
fine water mist are pumped into the chamber for pre-mixing and
diffusing ozone into the vapor phase within the diffuser cavity
prior to the mixed phase's diffusion through the more permeable
diffuser into water. This type of diffuser consists of an internal
micro-fine pore diffuser, preferably axially mounted within the air
bubble diffuser. Pure water is pumped through the micro-fine
diffuser and converted to cold water vapor phase within the annular
air supply channel where it is mixed with the pressurized ozonated
air supply and pumped through the higher permeability air bubble
diffuser material. The annular volume reaction chamber is
sufficiently large to allow enough contact time for the pressurized
gas to dissolve into the cold vapor fraction prior to release
through the more permeable bubble diffuser. Since a high fraction
of the gas is now diffused into the water vapor that immediately
dissolves in the main water volume, the lower quantity of remaining
gas surrounded by the vapor fraction being extruded through the
wetted pore capillary elastic water membrane venturi orifice allows
for production of smaller more diffusive bubbles and anti-bubbles.
An anti-bubbles is a known double layer form consisting of a higher
density cold water droplet core surrounded by a thin layer of gas
in bulk water. This type of bubble will not rise, but
counter-flows, diffusing its annular trapped gas into both the bulk
fluid and contained water droplet until extinction. This form of
diffusion offers gas diffusion mass transfer efficiencies equal to
or greater than static mixer assisted, venturi siphon-jet
diffusion. Since this process is occurring at point of use, the
normal ozone recycling loop and instability losses associated with
the venturi-siphon jet method are eliminated. Since a smaller gas
phase to bubble fraction is involved, this method is preferred over
all other methods for sanitization of water dispensers. When
properly engineered for complete mixed phase gas solution within a
diffuser, the method will replace bubble reactors altogether. This
new principal of diffusion and two new diffusion technical
innovations are claimed for use with water dispenser ozone
sanitization systems.
[0074] Two designs for are disclosed manually adjusting or
otherwise controlling or metering air flow through an ozonator and
diffuser for the purpose of increasing oxidant concentration and/or
regulation of bubble size, bubble population size and rise
characteristics are disclosed herein for use on water dispenser
sanitization systems.
[0075] While more sophisticated automated feedback control means
may be available for metering ozone sanitization systems air flow
and flow controlled pumps are available either through motor RPM
voltage adjustment or needle valve mounted on a pump housing, this
first design relates to an orifice type needle valve flow
adjustment during visual observation of bubble size changes in a
reservoir. In this case, flow controlling valve made of either an
ozone resistant metal or polymer is placed either between air pump
and ozone discharge tube or downstream from discharge tube housed
inside the single module along with a timer cycle controller
circuit. A valve stem extends through a hole in module case and a
vertically striated knob with dial pointer is inserted over valve
stem. A circular veneer decal, calibrated to flow rate and
adjustable over a 340 degree turn radius from closed to full open
is provided on the external casing along with a pointed upset
molded into the casing whose set stop point sets into the knob
grooved striations provided, serves as a ratcheting set to secure a
preferred optimized flow rate.
[0076] A second flow control design consists of a variable inline
flow meter for attachment to the vertical segment of ozone supply
line tubing.
[0077] A third and preferred method for auto-controlling systems
air flow through ozonator and diffuser for water dispenser
sanitization systems is disclosed. A type of existing airflow
regulator known as a spring-loaded variable orifice is herein
modified for this application. This modification includes dual
adjustable orifices, a screw adjustment for altering orifice
restriction, and a thin bimetal material forming the valve body
that acts as both heat sink and secondary regulating mechanism or
thermostat. This type of device maintains a specific flow rate
while responding to changes in temperature and airflow. Addition of
the tension adjustment screw allows the flow parameters to be
adjusted to a specific flow rate. Once adjusted, flow is maintained
in the conventional sense as outlined above. In this case this
auto-flow regulating mechanism is located downstream from the
ozonator.
[0078] The purpose of the bimetal material possessing two
dissimilar linear coefficients of thermal expansion is for better
response to changes in temperature where outer material doubles as
an ozone resistant material, preferably nickel plated copper. Since
a bimetal material is designed to respond to temperature in a
spring-like manner.
[0079] The need for the addition of a temperature dependent flow
control lies in the fact that while suppressing airflow across an
ozonator can and does elevate levels of process ozone, it also
elevates air density and temperature. If flow is suppressed for a
sufficient period of time, the elevated temperatures can destroy
process ozone and thermal expansion of air will increase flow rate
while decreasing air density. Thus a means for temporarily
increasing airflow is provided to vent excess heat and prevent the
destruction of process ozone.
[0080] Heat from the ozonated air is transferred to the thin
bimetal walled, heli-coiled bellows valve body, promoting linear
expansion of same, thus allowing a slightly greater airflow to
diffuser until air temperature is again in an optimal range. In
this case the auto-valving flow control mechanism resembles the
conventional water cooled engine's thermostat with addition of a
flow adjustment. Since air is a poor conductor of heat, airflow is
made to spiral around the entire helical surface of the bimetal
bellows to ensure a maximum, even heat transfer to the metal. The
second adjustible orifice or thermostat orifice and seat is located
at the base of the valve/bellows. Once first orifice is adjusted
for airflow during cold operation, the mechanism is free to respond
to changes in temperature for secondarily regulating airflow and
air temperature automatically. Device is simple, consists of
minimum quantities of readily available inexpensive materials and
can be fabricated and sold inexpensively. Device is claimed for use
with water dispenser ozone sanitization equipment as an
auto-airflow/temperature control optimizer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0081] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and
advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to
the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the
following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like
elements and wherein:
[0082] FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0083] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective exploded view of the
preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention
illustrating the ozone generator portion thereof;
[0084] FIG. 3 is a partial sectional elevational view of the
preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention
illustrating the reservoir, bottle, and ozone diffuser portions
thereof;
[0085] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of
the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the open
reservoir and ozone diffuser;
[0086] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG.
4;
[0087] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating the
ozone diffuser and its position in relation to the reservoir;
[0088] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of
the apparatus of the present invention illustrating an alternate
construction for the diffuser;
[0089] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the diffuser of
FIG. 7 showing the porous body portion thereof;
[0090] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the diffuser of
FIG. 7 prior to a grinding of part of the non-porous surface
therefrom;
[0091] FIG. 10 is a schematic, fragmentary view illustrating the
diffuser of FIG. 7 during construction;
[0092] FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of FIG.
7;
[0093] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines 12-12 of FIG.
7;
[0094] FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating the
diffuser of FIG. 7;
[0095] FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along lines 14-14 of FIG.
7;
[0096] FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of a second embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0097] FIG. 16 is a partial sectional elevation view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0098] FIG. 17 is a partial sectional elevation view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the
spigot and valve in a closed position;
[0099] FIG. 18 is a partial sectional elevation view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the
spigot and valve in an opened position;
[0100] FIG. 19 is a partial, cut away, elevation view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating
the spigot with a flow meter switch;
[0101] FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating
the spigot of FIG. 19;
[0102] FIG. 21 is a partially cut away elevation view showing an
alternate construction for the spigot that is a part of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0103] FIG. 22 is a partially cut away elevation view showing
alternate construction for the spigot that is a part of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0104] FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view showing the spigot of
FIG. 22;
[0105] FIG. 24 is a partial sectional, elevation view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing an
alternate spigot construction;
[0106] FIG. 25 is a partial sectional, elevation view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing an
alternate spigot construction;
[0107] FIG. 26 is a partial sectional, elevation view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing an
alternate spigot construction;
[0108] FIG. 27 is a partial perspective view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0109] FIG. 28 is a sectional elevation view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and
[0110] FIG. 29 is another sectional elevation view of the second
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, used in
combination with an air pressure switch;
[0111] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an alternate ozone
generator construction that can be used with any of the embodiments
of FIGS. 1-29;
[0112] FIG. 31 is a partial perspective view of the ozone generator
of FIG. 30;
[0113] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the ozone generator of
FIGS. 30-31;
[0114] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the ozone generator of
FIGS. 30-32;
[0115] FIG. 34 is a sectional view taken along lines 34-34 of FIG.
32;
[0116] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the improved ozone
generator of FIGS. 30-34;
[0117] FIG. 36 is a partial perspective view of a third embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention, showing an improved
diffuser;
[0118] FIG. 37 is a partial perspective view of a third embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention showing an improved
diffuser in a rectangular configuration;
[0119] FIGS. 37A-37C are top, side and bottom views respectively
showing an individual diffuser element used with the diffuser of
FIGS. 36-37;
[0120] FIGS. 37D-37F are topy, side and bottom views of another
configuration for a diffuser element used with the diffuser of
FIGS. 36-37
[0121] FIGS. 38-40 are partial perspective views of the third
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating
the improved diffuser and methods of manufacturing same;
[0122] FIG. 41 is a partial elevation view of a fourth embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention showing an improved
diffuser;
[0123] FIG. 42 is a partial perspective view the diffuser of FIG.
41;
[0124] FIG. 43 is an exploded elevation view of a fifth embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating an improved
diffuser;
[0125] FIG. 44 is a sectional view of the diffusers of FIG. 44;
[0126] FIG. 45 is a perspective view of another diffuse for use
with the present invention;
[0127] FIGS. 43A-45A show a diffuser that is similar to the
diffuser of FIGS. 43-45, and that utilizes a sintered metal sheet
that ozone diffuses through during use.
[0128] FIG. 46 is a sectional view of a sixth embodiment
illustrating another diffuser construction and its operation;
[0129] FIGS. 47A-47C are schematic views of a seventh embodiment
showing another diffuser construction for use with the present
invention;
[0130] FIG. 48 is a schematic illustration of an eighth embodiment
and showing another diffuser that includes a fused powder coated
construction;
[0131] FIG. 49 is an elevation view an in line, variable flow
flowmeter with air control valve for use with any of the
embodiments the present invention;
[0132] FIG. 50 is an exploded sectional view of the control valve
of FIGS. 49;
[0133] FIG. 51 is an exploded sectional view of the control valve
of FIGS. 49-50;
[0134] FIG. 52 is a partial sectional view of a temperature
compensated, variable flow rate air control valve for use with any
of the embodiments of the present invention, shown in open flow
position;
[0135] FIG. 53 is a partial, sectional view of the control valve of
FIG. 52, shown in closed flow position;
[0136] FIG. 54 is a sectional elevation view of a preferred
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0137] FIG. 55 is a sectional view taken along lines 55-55 of FIG.
54;
[0138] FIG. 56 is a sectional view taken along lines 56-56 of FIG.
54;
[0139] FIG. 57 is a partial perspective view of the alternate
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0140] FIG. 58 is a sectional view taken along lines 58-58 of FIG.
54;
[0141] FIG. 59 is a sectional elevation view of the alternate
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, and showing
an alternate construction for the spigot;
[0142] FIG. 60 is a sectional view taken along lines 60-60 of FIG.
59;
[0143] FIG. 61 is a sectional elevation view of the alternate
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, showing
another construction for the spigot; and
[0144] FIG. 62 is a sectional elevation view of the alternate
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, showing
another construction for the spigot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0145] FIGS. 1-3 show generally the preferred embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention designated by the numeral 10 in
FIG. 1. Water dispenser 10 provides an improved apparatus that
sanitizes the open reservoir from time to time with ozone. The
apparatus 10 includes a cabinet 11 having a lower end portion 12
and an upper end portion 13. The upper end portion 13 carries a
cover 14 having an opening 17.
[0146] The opening 17 provides an annular flange 15 and a gasket 16
that defines an interface with bottle 18. The bottle 18 is a
commercially available bottle that is typically of a several gallon
volume (e.g. five gallons) in the United States. The bottle 18
provides a constricted bottled neck 19 that is placed inside an
open reservoir 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 during use. The bottle
neck 19 has an opening for communicating with a reservoir at the
interior of the cabinet 11 that holds the water product to be
dispensed and consumed. When the reservoir 20 is lowered during
use, air bubbles enter the bottle 18 and water replenishes the
reservoir 20 until pressure equalizes.
[0147] The reservoir 20 has an interior 21 surrounded by reservoir
sidewall 22 and reservoir bottom wall 23. The reservoir can be, for
example, generally cylindrically shaped and of a stainless steel or
plastic material. The reservoir 20 provides an open top 24 for
communicating with the neck 19 of bottle 18.
[0148] During use, reservoir 20 has a water surface 25 that
fluctuates slightly as water is dispensed and then replenished by
bottle 18. One or more spigots 26, 27 can be provided for
withdrawing water contained in reservoir 20. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 3, for example, a left hand spigot 26 has a flow line
35 that extends up to and near the surface 25 of water contained in
reservoir 20. The spigot 26 thus removes ambient temperature water
from reservoir 20 that is not in close proximity to the
refrigeration or cooling coils 28. The spigot 27 provides a port 36
for communicating with water contained in reservoir 20. Because the
refrigeration coils 28 are positioned at the lower end of reservoir
20, the spigot 26 withdraws cool water. As a practical matter, a
water dispenser apparatus 10 could provide either ambient
temperature water, cold water or heated water if, for example, a
flow line 35 were to be provided with a heating element.
[0149] For cooling the water at the lower end portion of the
reservoir 20, a cooling system that includes a compressor 29 can be
provided. The refrigeration system includes flow lines 30, 31 in
combination with compressor 29 to transmit cooling fluid to coils
28 and then to heat exchanger 32 as part of a system for cooling
water in reservoir 20. Power to the apparatus 10 is provided by
electrical lines, including an electrical line 33 provided with
plug 34. The plug 34 can be fitted to controller 42 having
receptacle 44 and plug 43 as shown in FIG. 2. In this fashion,
electricity can be selectively routed to the compressor 29 via
electrical line 33 or to the housing 40 containing ozone generator
50 using electrical line 41. This feature enables the compressor to
be deactivated when the ozone generator 50 is to be used to
transmit ozone to reservoir 20 for cleaning water contained in it
and for scrubbing the inside walls of reservoir 20.
[0150] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 40 includes an ozone generator
50 that generates ozone for cleaning water contained in reservoir
20. Additionally, the housing 40 contains a motor drive 53 and
blower 54 that move air through an ozone generator housing 57 to
diffuser 37. Air line 38 communicates between ozone generator
housing 57 and ozone diffuser 37. Fitting 39 provides a connection
for attaching the exit air flow line 38 to ozone generator 57 as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0151] Housing 40 can be provided with flanges 45 and openings 46
for enabling the housing 40 to be retrofitted to an existing
cabinet 11 by bolting the housing 40 to the cabinet 11 as shown in
FIG. 1.
[0152] In FIG. 2, housing 40 includes a lower end portion 47 and an
upper end portion 48. The upper end portion 48 provides an opening
49 to which ozone generator housing 57 can be affixed. An ozone
generator 50 is contained within the housing 57 as shown in FIG. 2.
Housing 57 includes a lower housing section 58 and an upper housing
section 59. Flange 60 of lower housing section 58 and flange 61 of
upper housing section 59 each engage gasket 62 upon assembly.
[0153] Bolted connections 63 can be used for attaching the housing
57 to housing 40 at internally threaded openings 64 on housing 40
as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. During use, the controller 42 normally
deactivates the ozone generator 50 during normal hours when the
users are dispensing water from the apparatus 10. Because the ozone
used to disinfect reservoir 20 has a distinctive smell, it is
preferable to clean the water contained in reservoir 20, to clean
the inside walls of reservoir 20 and the bottle neck 19, at a
selected time. The controller 42 could be activated for example
during early morning hours (e.g. 3:00 a.m.-4:00 a.m.) and can be a
commercially available controller that activates transformer 51 and
motor drive 53 only after compressor 29 and the refrigeration
system have been deactivated by the controller 42. This
accomplished by shutting off the flow of electricity to plug 34 and
electric line 33 that supply electricity to compressor 29.
[0154] After electricity is disconnected from compressor 29,
transformer 51 and motor drive 53 are activated. The transformer 51
produces electricity with a very high voltage at ozone generator 50
for generating ozone within the confines of ozone generator housing
57. As this ozone is generated within housing 57, air is pumped
with air pump 54 into inlet flow line 55 and via opening 56 into
the interior of housing 57. HEPA filter 71 removes airborne
microorganism before they can enter air pump 54 and flow line 55.
This positive flow of air pressure into housing 57 causes a
simultaneous discharge of air through fitting 39 into air flow line
38. The air flow line 38 then carries air to diffuser 37 or 37A
(FIGS. 7-14) that is contained at the bottom at the side wall of
reservoir 20. The specific placement of diffuser 37 or 37A and the
flow of air therefrom containing ozone is shown more particularly
in FIGS. 4-14. In FIG. 4, a top view of the reservoir shows that
the diffuser 37 or 37A preferably extends 360 degrees about the
periphery of reservoir 20 and at the sidewall 22 thereof. This is
preferable because ozone bubbles 67 are used to scrub the side wall
22 at the inside surface as shown in FIG. 3.
[0155] The diffuser 37 or 37A can be is supported by a plurality of
feet 68 that extend between the diffuser 37 or 37A and a bottom
wall 23 of reservoir 20. Openings 69 in diffuser 37 are directed at
an angle with respect to the bottom wall 23 and side wall 22 of
reservoir 20 as shown in FIG. 6. An angle 70 of preferably about 45
degrees defines the orientation of openings 69 with respect to the
walls 22, 23. This configuration of the openings 69 relative to the
walls 22, 23 ensures that bubbles 67 will be discharged outwardly
toward side wall 22, to maximize the scrubbing effect at the
interior wall 22 of reservoir 20. This scrubbing action using ozone
bubbles 67 cleans the sidewall 22 and produces a rolling flow of
water within reservoir 20. The bubbles 67 will strike the surface
25 of the reservoir 20 and flow inwardly. Such a circulation
ensures that all of the water within the reservoir is cleaned.
Further, directing the bubbles from diffuser 37 outwardly toward
wall 22 ensures that none of the bubbles 67 will enter bottle 18
via neck 19 which would cause the device to overflow.
[0156] FIGS. 7-14 show an alternate construction of the diffuser,
wherein the diffuser is designated generally by the numeral 37A.
Diffuser 37A has a porous body 72 as shown in FIG. 8 that begins
with a cylindrically shaped hollow cross section. Porous body 72
can be a food grade porous ceramic material. The porous body 72 is
generally C shaped as shown in FIG. 7, but provides the cross
section shown in FIG. 11. FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show the method of
construction of the diffuser 37A which begins with porous body 72.
In FIG. 8, porous body 72 has an inner surface 73 that surrounds
hollow bore 75 and an outer surface 74. In FIG. 9, a non-porous
coating (e.g. food grade non-porous epoxy that can e fired) is
provided on porous body 72 to provide an outer coating 76 that is
substantially impervious to the escape of air. In FIG. 10, rotary
grinding tool 88 having rotary shaft 89 is used to grind away part
of the non-porous coating 76 to provide an exposed face 90 (see
FIGS. 10 and 11).
[0157] When air is injected through inlet elbow fitting 79, the air
enters hollow bore 75 and then diffuses through porous body 72.
Coating 76 prevents the escape of air so that air can only escape
through exposed face 90. Exposed face 90 is positioned on the outer
portion of C shaped diffuser 37A as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11. An
enlarged view of this exposed face 90 is shown in FIG. 13 with
arrows 91 indicating the escape of bubbles 92.
[0158] The inlet elbow fitting 79 has a body 80 with two legs 81,
82 extending therefrom. Coupling material 83 such as food grade
epoxy can be used to join the combination of porous body 72 and its
coating 76 to inlet elbow fitting 79. Each of the legs 81, 82
provides an internal hollow flow bore, said bores 84 and 85
intersecting at body 80 so that air flow can proceed from bore 84
of leg 81 to bore 85 of leg 82. The leg 81 can provide external
threads 86 so that it can be connected to an influent air flow line
38. Other connectors could be used on leg 81 such as a stab fitting
type connection, clamp connection or the like. Elbow fitting 79 at
leg 82 can provide similar connective material for forming a
connection with porous body 72 at its inner surface 73. This
connective structure on leg 82 can be a stab fitting type
connection as shown in FIG. 12, external threads, or like
connective structure.
[0159] In FIG. 7, the diffuser 37A has closed end portion 78 and
end portion 79 that receives elbow fitting 79. Closed end 78 can be
closed by using the same material that constitutes coating 76 as
shown in FIG. 14.
[0160] FIGS. 15-27 show an alternate and second embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention. The second embodiment provides
a manually operable dispensing spigot 100 with a special switch
arrangement that automatically activates an ozone generator such as
the generator shown and described with respect to the preferred
embodiment of FIGS. 1-14. It should be understood that the
alternate embodiment of FIGS. 15-18 includes the spigot 100 as well
as a cabinet 11, reservoir 20, and the various flow lines of the
embodiments of FIGS. 1-14. In other words, in the alternate
embodiment, spigot 100 replaces spigots 26, 27 of FIGS. 1-14. The
spigot 100 triggers ozone generation and the transmission of ozone
to the water contained within the reservoir. Ozone is also
transmitted to a channel that connects the reservoir to the spigot,
disinfecting water to be consumed.
[0161] In FIGS. 15-18, spigot 100 includes a spigot housing 101 to
which is attached a handle 102 that enables a user to activate the
handle 102 during the dispensing of water from the spigot 100.
[0162] When the user 141 depresses the handle 102 to a dispensing,
open valve position as shown in FIG. 18, not only is water
dispensed into a container that the user is holding, but ozone is
generated to sanitize an influent channel or horizontal bore 105
that communicates with flow outlet 107. The dispensing of ozone to
horizontal bore 105 is in a very small concentration that is
sufficient to disinfect water being dispensed, but not to generate
an undesirable smell or taste.
[0163] Spigot 100 provides housing 101 that has an annular flange
103 that can engage the front surface of a cabinet such as the
cabinet 11 that is shown and described with respect to the
preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-14. Flange 103 acts as a stop for
the housing 101 after it is inserted at threaded portion 104
through an opening formed in the front surface of the cabinet 11.
Threaded portion 104 enables a nut or other fastener to be
threadably attached to the externally threaded section 104 for
holding the spigot housing 101 to an opening in the front of the
cabinet 11.
[0164] Water that is being dispensed from a reservoir of the
cabinet 11 flows through a reservoir or flow channel that connects
with horizontal bore 105. Vertical bore 106 extends from horizontal
bore 105 to flow outlet 107.
[0165] A valve body 108 is provided for opening and closing the
flow outlet 107 as shown by the drawings in FIGS. 17 and 18. In
FIG. 17, the flow outlet is closed. In FIG. 18, the flow outlet 107
is opened so that water can be dispensed. Valve body 108 (see FIG.
16) has an annular shoulder 109 and an operating rod socket 110.
Operating rod 111 has an annular flange 119 that occupies socket
110 during use as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. The operating rod 111
has an annular grove 120 that is provided in between a lower
annular flange 119 and an upper annular flange 118. Basically, the
annular shoulder 109 occupies annular groove 120 upon assembly.
[0166] Return spring 112 insures that the valve 108 will always
return to a closed position when a user 141 is not depressing the
handle 102. Rod 111 occupies socket 113 of valve body 108. A
waterproof seal 132 is provided at the upper end portion of valve
body 108. waterproof seal 132 engages cap 114 forming a water tight
seal therewith.
[0167] Internal threads 115 of cap 114 engage external threads 116
on valve housing 101. Retainer 117 is provided for forming an
attachment between cap 114 and dual contact barrel 127. A central
opening 126 in cap 114 allows operating rod 111 to pass through cap
114. Similarly, a vertical, generally cylindrically shaped
passageway 140 is provided on dual contact barrel 127 enabling
operating rod 111 to pass through it. The upper end portion of
operating rod 111 provides a transverse opening 122 that can align
with the transverse opening 121 on handle 102. A pin 123 forms a
connection between handle 102 at opening 121 and operating rod 111
at opening 122 as shown in FIGS. 16-18.
[0168] Handle 102 provides a cam surface 124 that lifts operating
rod 111 when the handle 102 is pushed downwardly by a user 141 as
illustrated in FIG. 107 by arrow 142. A metallic collar 125 is
provided at the upper end portion of operating rod 111 as shown in
FIG. 16. The collar 125 is part of a switch arrangement for
activating the ozone generator when the handle 102 is depressed to
the position shown in FIG. 18. The collar 125 contacts electrical
lines 130, 131 of dual contact barrel 127. The metallic collar 125
closes a circuit to activate an ozone generator and blower when it
contacts both of the electrical lines 130, 131 as seen in FIG.
18.
[0169] A receptacle 128 on valve housing 101 receives plug 129 of
dual contact barrel 127. Electrical lines 138, 139 on valve body
101 communicate with socket 128 and thus plug 129 as shown in FIG.
18. Electrical lines 138, 139 are connected to the ozone generator
and blower that are shown and described with respect to the
preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-14. When the handle 102 is
depressed to the position shown in FIG. 18, the ozone generator and
air pump are simultaneously activated so that ozone flows in flow
tube 136 to ozone supply fitting 133 that is positioned in
horizontal bore 105 of housing 101. Alternatively, the ozone
generator and air pump can be activated by a timer that is
activated when handle 102 is depressed. The ozone supply fitting
133 has a bore 137 and diffuser 134 that dispensing ozone to water
that is contained in the bore 105. A barbed connector 135 can be
provided for enabling a connection to be made between tubing 136
that supplies ozone and fitting 133.
[0170] In FIGS. 19-27, alternate constructions for the spigot are
disclosed, designated by the numeral 100A in FIGS. 19-20; 100B in
FIG. 21; 100C in FIGS. 22-23; 100D in FIG. 24; 100E in FIG. 25; and
100F in FIGS. 26-27. Spigot 100A in FIGS. 19-20 is similar to a
commercially available spigot such as spigot 26 or 27. In FIG. 19,
spigot 100A has a body 143, handle 144 and a flow sensor 145 that
activates the ozone generator and air pump responsive to water flow
that is sensed by flow sensor 145. Water flow is sensed by flow
sensor 145 when spigot 100A is opened by depression of valve handle
144 and water flows in channel 105. Instrumentation line 146
activates the ozone generator and blower when valve handle 144 is
depressed and flow is sensed. A flow sensor 145 and its
instrumentation line 146 are commercially available. Such a sensor
145 and instrumentation 146 can be used to activate the blower and
ozone generator of FIGS. 1-14.
[0171] In FIG. 21, spigot 100B has magnetic flow sensor with magnet
147 and sensors 170. In FIGS. 22, 23 spigot 100C provides a flow
meter that can be an electromagnet type flow sensor with
instrumentation lines 148, 149. In FIG. 22, an electrical supply
173 powers electromagnet 171 with flow sensors 172. Such an
electromagnet flow sensor 171, 172 is available commercially.
Instrumentation lines 174, 175 enable the flow sensor 171, 172 to
operate the ozone generator and blower of FIGS. 1-14.
[0172] In FIGS. 24-27 a spigot 100D can include a conventional
spigot body 26 provided with an extension tube. In FIG. 24, flow
sensor 145 is mounted to extension tube 176 having flow bore 177.
The extension tube 177 can be glued or threadably connected to a
standard, commercially available spigot 26 or 27. Flow line 136
carrying ozone from the ozone generator of FIGS. 1-14 communicates
with fitting 133 mounted directly to the conventional spigot 26.
Diffuser 134 dispenses ozone to bore 177 upstream of spigot 26. The
spigot apparatus 100D of FIG. 24 is use to activate the ozone
generator and blower of FIGS. 1-14 when flow is sensed by flow
sensor 145 and instrumentation line 146. The spigot 100E of FIG. 25
includes extension tube 178 with bore 179. Electromagnet flow
sensor 172 having electromagnet 171 powered by electricity via line
173 is mounted to tube 179. Sensor 172 communicates with and
activates the ozone generator and blower of FIGS. 1-14 via
instrumentation lines 174, 175. The tube 178 having bore 179 can be
glued or threadably attached to a standard spigot 26 (see FIG.
25).
[0173] In FIGS. 26, 27 Spigot 100F has tube 180 with bore 181. Both
flow sensor 145 and diffuser 134 with fitting 133 are mounted to
tube 180. Tube 180 can be glued, threadably attached or otherwise
connected to spigot 26. Nut 182 can secure spigot 100F to cabinet
111 and reservoir 20.
[0174] FIG. 28 is a sectional, elevation view of an alternate
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated
generally by the numeral 10A. In FIG. 10A, ozone is generated for
sanitation of water responsive to operation of the spigot. In FIG.
10A, the ozone generator is not shown but is connected to pump P
186 that is activated using timer 185. The ozone generator of the
preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-14 could be used in combination
with FIG. 28, generating ozone that is pumped using pump 186 and
transmitting that ozone to diffuser 37 via flow line 136. Flow line
136 can also be transmitted to an extension tube 184 that is
connected to a conventional spigot 26. As shown in FIG. 28, the
extension tube 28 can extend between spigot 26 and reservoir 20. In
FIG. 28, an inverted bottle type water cooler is shown having a
cabinet 11 with an opening at the top as shown and described with
the previous drawings of FIGS. 1-14. An inverted bottle 18 has a
neck 19 that extends into reservoir 20. When the spigot 26 is
activated to dispense water, the water level drops from a first
water level 89 to a lower water level 90. This causes the float 188
to drop and wherein the contact 193 on the float 188 closes a
circuit with the two electrical lines 194, 196. When this occurs,
the timer activates the pump 186 and ozone generator for pumping
ozone to either or both of diffuser 137 and extension 184. Thus,
ozone is generated responsive to inactivation of the spigot 26 by a
user that depresses the handle part of the spigot.
[0175] In FIG. 29, an additional embodiment is designated by the
numeral 10B. In FIG. 29, the upper end 13 of cabinet 11 is provided
with a timer 185 and pump 186. The pump 186 pumps ozone that has
been generated using an ozone generator as shown and described in
FIGS. 1-14 or in FIGS. 30-34, 36. In FIG. 29, pressure controllers
191, 192 are provided. As the water level drops from level 189 to
level 190, either one or both of the sensors 191, 192 can be used
to monitor the change in pressure for activating the timer 185 and
pump 186 via instrumentation lines 197, 198. As with the embodiment
of FIG. 28, the water level drops from level 189 to level 190 when
the spigot 26 is operated by depressing the handle. Thus, ozone is
generated to reservoir 20 using diffuser 37 and/or to extension 184
using flow line 136. In this fashion, ozone is generated responsive
to activation of the spigot 26.
[0176] FIGS. 30-35 show an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of
the present invention, designated generally by the numeral 150 in
FIGS. 30, 31, 32, 33, 35. The ozone generator or ozone discharge
tube 150 of FIGS. 30-35 features a dielectric tubing 151 that can
be, for example, a Corning.RTM. or Pyrex.RTM. cylindrically shaped
glass tube having a central longitudinal bore 152. A pair of foil
adhesive layers are applied to the external surface 166 of the tube
151. These layers include foil adhesive tape layer 153 and foil
adhesive layer 155. Each of these layers can be in the form of
adhesive tape having release liners. In FIG. 30, the foil adhesive
tape section 153 has release liner 154. The smaller foil adhesive
tape section 155 has release liner 156.
[0177] Arrows 157 in FIG. 30 schematically illustrate the
application of each of the foil adhesive tape sections 153, 155 to
the external surface of tubing 151. Electrode 158 is placed inside
of tubing 151, occupying a part of bore 152. One end portion of
electrode 158 provides a clamp 164 that attaches to an end of
tubing 151. An exposed portion 165 of electrode 158 is placed on
the outer surface 156 of tubing 151. The foil adhesive tape section
20 153 is preferably of a size and shape that enables it to
communicate with and cover the exposed part 165 as shown in FIGS.
30 and 31.
[0178] In FIG. 30, the exposed part 165 and foil adhesive tap
section 155 are each of a width "D1" as shown. The foil adhesive
tape section 153 is spaced from the foil adhesive tape section 155
and is of a size and shape to encircle the tubing 151 and to extend
a length along the tubing 151 as seen in FIG. 1 that is partially
filled with electrode 158. Arrows "D2" in FIGS. 30-31 show the
width of sheet 153 and the part of electrode 158 that aligns with
sheet 153 after placement of electrode 158 in bore 152 of tube 151.
A pair of metallic spring clips 159 communicate with electrical
leads 167, 168 that are mounted upon circuit board 169. In this
fashion, the circuit board can provide a timing circuitry that is
in electrical communication with an ozone power circuit and air
blower (pump) for operating discharge tube 150 via clamps 159 and
leads 168. A simple timing circuit activates the ozone generator
150 pump or air blower for a selected time interval. At about the
same time, the blower 169 can be activated by the timing circuit.
The timing circuit shuts off generator 150 and blower 169 after
they operate for a desired time interval.
[0179] A flow conduit 160 is attached to an end portion of tubing
151 as shown in FIG. 32. Similarly, a discharge conduit 161 is
mounted to an end portion of tubing 151 that is opposite the
conduit 160. Upon assembly, the glass tubing 151 can be covered and
protected by safety cover 162. An air pump 169 can be connected to
the conduit 160 for driving air through the bore 152 of tubing 151.
In FIG. 34, the negatively polarity (-) foil 153 acts as a
reflector tube to concentrate far UV ozone at the central
longitudinal axis of tubing 151 and next to electrode 158, thus
increasing output. This differs from prior art arrangements wherein
far UV is not reflected and concentrated but dissipates. The ozone
generator 150 can be used in place of ozone generator 50 of any
embodiment of FIGS. 1-16 or as the ozone generator for the
embodiments shown in FIGS. 17-29.
[0180] In FIG. 34, the (-) polarity foil electrode reflector tube
acts as a cylindrical mirror for concentrating oxygen cleaving
range far UV at the central longitudinal axis of tubing 151 at the
(+) polarity electrode 158. Far UV, being above the primary heat
producing range does not contribute significantly to process air
heating. The bulk of the dielectric resistance heating is absorbed
by the low mass-high surface area thin radiator material (-)
polarity external foil electrode and radially transferred to
ambient air outside the tube. By this process, the ozone discharge
tube runs cool and does not contribute to ozone degradation. This
differs from some prior art arrangements of wherein far UV ionizing
radiation is not reflected and concentrated by dissipates.
[0181] FIGS. 36-47 show various constructions of diffuser designs
that can be used with any embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-35 of the
method and apparatus of the present invention.
[0182] In FIG. 36, diffuser 37B is shown in perspective view.
Diffuser 37B is shown in a circular pattern, but can also have the
rectangular pattern shown in FIG. 37. Diffuser 37B shows a silicone
tube 200 that has a hollow bore 201 for conveying air. Fitting 202
includes a connector 203 that enables air to be piped from the
ozone generator of any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-35 to
the bore 201 of silicone tube 200. The silicone tube 200 has a wall
204 that surrounds bore 201. Wall 204 has a plurality of openings
205, each opening 205 having a diffuser insert 206 (see FIGS.
37A-37F). FIGS. 37A-37C show a flanged embodiment. FIGS. 37D-37F
show a flanged, transverse radiused base embodiment. The inserts
206 are diffuser material such as for example, diffuser stone
insert material. Diffusers 206 can be of food grade sintered metal
(e.g., aluminum, stainless sheet). The insert material 206 can be
as selected for any of the inserts 205 shown in FIG. 37A.
[0183] FIGS. 38-40 show another diffuser 37C in perspective views.
For the embodiment shown in FIGS. 38-40, the diffuser 37C can
include modules 213 connected with stab fittings 214 with an
additional fitting 215 connecting modules 213 together in a circle.
Fitting 215 provides an inlet 216 for piping that communicates
between the ozone generator and the diffuser 37C. A blade 217 in
FIG. 44 illustrates that any one of the modules 213 can be cut to a
selected length.
[0184] Diffuser 37C is comprised of modules 213 connected end to
end. A single module 213 is shown in FIGS. 38-39. Module 213 can be
a two piece molding (FIG. 38) or a one piece molding (FIG. 39).
Each module 213 includes tube 207 having flow bore 212. In FIG. 38,
bore 212 can be formed by providing matching longitudinal slots,
each semicircular in traverse cross section that align upon
assembly of an upper section 210 and lower section 211. Diffuser
sockets 209 receive inserts 206 that can be food grade sintered
metal, stone, or any of the materials shown in any of the
embodiments of figures disclosed herein. Sockets 209 can be
surrounded by cylindrically shaped wall portions 208. Inserts 206
can have flanged bottoms. In FIG. 39 bore 212 can be formed by a
pulled rod.
[0185] FIGS. 41-42 show an additional diffuser 37d having a tubular
membrane diffuser ring with a small diameter tubing design.
Diffuser 37d includes an elongated cylindrically shaped tube 207
which can be elastic having a cylindrical wall 219 that surrounds
hollow bore 220. Tube 218 wall 219 is provided with a plurality of
small diffuser slots 221 through which ozone can exit the tubal
bore 220. Barb connector 222 is a T-shaped fitting that is attached
to opposing end portions of tube 218 to form a circular diffuser as
shown in FIG. 42, and leaving one portion of the barb connector 222
as an inlet opening through which ozone can be transmitted to the
fitting 222, to bore 220 and then through diffuser slots 221 to the
surrounding reservoir 20.
[0186] Another embodiment of a diffuser is shown in FIGS. 43-45,
designated generally by the numeral 37E. Diffuser 37E includes an
angular body 223 having an outwardly facing angular flow channel
224. The angular flow channel 224 is covered with an angular
membrane or sheet 231 that is a thin wall membrane structure that
includes a plurality of small slotted openings 232, each extending
through the angular membrane sheet 231. The angular membrane sheet
231 can be of any selected ozone resistant material such as food
grade silicone, EPDM rubber, Viton or the like.
[0187] Angular flow channel 224 is provided with an inlet fitting
225 through which ozone can be transmitted in the direction of
arrow 226. Arrows 227 schematically illustrate the discharge of
ozone from flow channel 224 through slots 232 of angular sheet 231
and then to the surrounding reservoir 20 for ozonating water
contained within the reservoir 20.
[0188] Correspondingly shaped interlocking angular sections can be
provided for attaching an upper retainer ring 228 and a lower
retaining ring 229 to body 223 and form holding membrane sheet 231
in position. The upper retaining ring 228 provides interlocking
angular section 240 that forms an interlocking connection with the
angular interlocking section 241 of body 223. Similarly, the
interlocking angular section 242 on body 223 forms an interlocking
connection with the interlocking angular section 243 of a lower
retainer ring 229, the assembly of the upper and lower retaining
rings 228, 229 with body 223 being shown in FIGS. 44-45.
[0189] The completed diffuser 37E has a central opening 230. The
slotted openings 232 and angular sheet 231 face away from central
opening 230 so that ozone exiting slotted openings 232 can travel
in the direction of arrows 227 for scrubbing the sidewall of a
generally cylindrically shaped reservoir, as with the embodiments
of FIGS. 1-14. In this fashion, the slotted opening 232 can be
placed very close to the reservoir 20 sidewall 22 so that ozone
bubbles exiting the openings 232 can scrub the sidewall 22 of the
reservoir 20 and sanitize it. In keeping with the teachings of the
present invention, the diffuser 37E shown in FIGS. 43-45 can be
square or rectangular in order to more closely fit the shape of a
square or rectangular reservoir if desired. In FIGS. 43A and 44A,
the diffuser shown is similar to that shown in FIGS. 43-45. The
sheet 231A is a sintered metal sheet (e.g. sintered titanium) that
is ozone resistant. Body 223A provides blow channel 224A. Fitting
225A transmits ozone to channel 224A via inlet 226A. Upper and
lower rings 228A, 229A hold sheet 231A to body 223A.
[0190] FIGS. 45A-45C show another alternate embodiment for diffuser
223B of stainless steel construction. Body sheet 231A can be one or
more layers. Body 223B can be thin walled stainless tape or ribbon
stock roll crimped from sheet stock. Sheet stock can be used to
form body 223B as shown in FIG. 45A. The body 223B and sheet 231A
can be a circle as shown in FIG. 45C.
[0191] In FIG. 46, another diffuser is shown, indicated by the
numeral 37F. Diffuser 37F is a gas diffusion into water diffuser
material configuration. The water surface 233 above diffuser 37F
provides a change in pressure water column assist value. Diffuser
37F can provide a body 234 that has a low permeability material
coating 235 with interconnected porisity channel 236 low
permeability capillary channel 237 interconnects with
circumferentially extending channel 236 as shown in FIG. 46. The
pressure differential provided by the water column assist below
water surface 233 and the capillary action of channels 237 wicks
water back into the diffuser sensor 238. A higher permeability
diffuser stone material 239 is provided next to open center 238 and
is interconnected with channel 244.
[0192] Ozone is piped to the open center 238 from an ozone
generator such as those described with respect to FIGS. 1-35. Ozone
then travels through the channels 244 and mixes with water that is
wicked via channels 236, 237, as a result of the change in pressure
provided by water surface 233. The bubbles 245 that are emitted
have a mixed phase gas and diffused gas water phase.
[0193] In FIGS. 47A, 47B and 47C, a diffuser is provided that is
designed generally by the numeral 37G. Diffuser 37G utilizes a
water supply pump 250 and a gas supply pump 251. Flow channel 252
carries pumped water to communicate with a lower permeability
diffuser section 253. Pump 251 pumps ozone gas through channel 254
to a higher permeability diffuser section 255. In FIGS. 47B-47C the
lower permeability diffuser section 253 is shown having a water
layer 256 that lines pores of low permeability diffuser 253. In
FIG. 47C, diffused gas cold water vapor droplet 257 passes through
the pore of lower permeability diffuser 253 and emerges as diffused
gas plus vapor at 258.
[0194] In FIG. 48, a diffuser 37H is shown that can be in the form
of highly permeable, low initial bubble pressure, largely
hydrophobic diffuser media 260. Particle spacing 261 is sufficient
to allow bubbles to vent without collision or coalesence. A fused
powder coating 263 of largely hydrophylic, or micro-particle
material (or nano-particle material) is provided at a pore mouth or
orifice 262 with bound elastic water layer membrane alteration of
surface energy, hence surface permeability. This configuration
generates a micro fine elastic membrane with low pressure loss
through the diffuser 37H. Water is continually wicked to the pore
surface, keeping it hydrated, generating a fine diameter of venturi
orifice at 262.
[0195] FIGS. 49-51 show a variable flow meter with air control
valve for metering low volumes of ozonated air. Control valve 270
in FIGS. 49-50 has opposed end portions with barb fittings 271, 272
so that they can be connected to plastic tubing or other slow
conveying piping. Barrel 273 has a flow bore 274 that holds a ball
275 fitting 276 threadably attaches to the top of barrel 273. The
stab fitting 271 on fitting 276 extends to bore 274 as shown in
FIGS. 50 and 51.
[0196] Threaded sleeve 277 attaches to an enlarged lower end
portion of 278 of barrel 273. An O ring 279 can be placed in
between flange 280 of tube 277 and flange 281 of stab fitting 15
272. Valving member 282 includes a flange 283 with external thread
284 that engage the internal threads 285 sleeve 277. During use, a
user can grip the narrowed knurled surface 286 of sleeve 277 and
turn it to control the position of valving number 282 relative to
conically shaped seat 287, thus regulating the amount of air that
flows through the bore 274. Ball 275 provides an indication of
flow, as barrel 273 can be clear and numbered with indicia as
shown.
[0197] In FIGS. 52 and 53, a temperature compensated variable flow
rate air flow control valve 300 is shown. The control valve 300
includes a valve body 301 having an interior 302. A flow inlet 303
and a flow outlet 304 are provided as shown. A bellows 305 occupies
interior 302. As ozonated air flows from inlet 303 to outlet 304,
it flows circumferentially about bellows 305 as shown by arrows 306
in FIG. 52.
[0198] Bellows 305 has an interior 307 that reacts to the
temperature of gas flowing from inlet 303 to outlet 304. If the
flowing gas that follows the path of arrow 306 is too cold, bellows
305 retreats in the direction of arrow 308 so that valve seat 309
is closed by the conical surface 310 at the bottom of bellows 305
as shown in FIG. 53 and adjustment knob 311 can be provided for
fine tuning the position of bellows 305. Bellows 305 can be a
helicoil plated copper bellows that is highly sensitive to heat
transfer, providing an expansion and contraction thermostat
material.
[0199] FIGS. 54-58 show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of
the present invention designated generally by the numeral 400 in
FIG. 54. Water dispenser 400 has a cabinet 401 that can be in the
form of an inverted bottle water type cabinet. However, the present
invention can be used with other types of cabinets, such as for
example, cabinets that contain a bottle of water at the lower end
portion of the cabinet, or cabinets that connect directly to a
water supply, thus eliminating the supply bottle.
[0200] Cabinet 401 has an upper cover portion 402 that includes an
annular flange 403 surrounding opening 405. Gasket 404 can be used
to form a seal between bottle 406 and cabinet 401.
[0201] Bottle 406 has a neck 407 and an opening 408 that
communicates with reservoir 409. Reservoir 409 includes a bottom
410 that can be square or circular and side walls 411. An outlet
412 at the bottom 410 of reservoir 409 communicates with flow
channel 413. Flow channel 413 has a flow bore 414 for carrying
water between reservoir 409 and spigot 415.
[0202] In FIGS. 55-57, spigot 415 provides a valve 416 that can be
gripped and actuated by a user in order to open dispensing outlet
opening 417 so that water flows via opening 417 into a selected
glass, cup or like receptacle. Such a valve 416 for actuating a
spigot 415 is known in the art.
[0203] Spigot flow channel 418 communicates with bore 414 of
channel 413. In addition to spigot flow channel 418, there are
provided on spigot 415 a pair of passages that extend through
spigot 415. These passages include first passage 419 and second
passage 420. The first passage 419 extends to an internally
threaded opening 427. Opening 427 receives diffuser stone 423 that
has an opening 424 through which air can enter opening 427 and then
provide small air bubbles to spigot flow channel 418 as indicated
by arrows 435 in FIG. 55.
[0204] During use, ozone is transmitted via ozone flowline 430 to
fitting 428 and then to passageway 419 as indicated by the arrows
436 in FIG. 55. The ozone that flows in line 430 and in passage 419
provides small bubbles of ozone for disinfecting and sanitizing the
spigot flow channel 418 and also the flow bore 414 of channel 413.
Since the spigot channel 418 is near reservoir walls 411 in most or
all cooling water dispensers, it will not contribute to bubbles
entering the water bottle and thus dispensing water.
[0205] In FIGS. 54 and 55, the bubbles that enter spigot channel
418 can be shown flowing in the direction of arrows 435 in the
horizontal section of channel 413 and then to the vertical section
of channel 413 in FIG. 54 rising upwardly to outlet 412 and
entering reservoir 409. Thus, the same bubbles that are used to
sanitize spigot channel 418 and channel 413 also enter and assist
in sanitizing reservoir 409.
[0206] Reservoir 409 is also sanitized using flowline 437 that
extends from ozone generator module 432 to diffuser 434 in the
direction of arrows 439 in FIG. 54. The second passage 420 receives
ozone from reservoir 409. Ozone flows into ozone flowline 431 that
communicates with fitting 429 and second passage 420 as shown in
FIG. 17. The ozone flowing in second passage 420 communicates with
spigot dispensing opening 417 at tangent position 421. This
produces a spiraling flow of ozone within dispensing opening 417 as
indicated schematically by the spiraling arrow 422 in FIGS. 56 and
57.
[0207] Ozone generator module 432 can be comprised of an ozone
generator 438 and air blower 440. Air flow, schematically indicated
by the arrow 433 can be provided using a blower for pushing the
generated ozone into the flowlines 430, 431 and 437.
[0208] In FIGS. 59-62, additional constructions for the spigot and
the channels that communicate with the spigot to sanitize it with
ozone are shown. In FIG. 20, reservoir 441 includes a sidewall 443
and bottom 444. The reservoir 441 has a single opening 442 that
receives a spigot inlet portion 455 of spigot 450. In FIGS. 20 and
21, ozone is transmitted to both the spigot 450 and the reservoir
441 via flowline 430. In FIGS. 20 and 21 flowline 430 receives flow
directly from blower 440 and ozone generator 438 and flowline 431
is eliminated. Rather, ozone flows through flowline 430 to flowline
446A to diffuser 434 and to flowline 446B to diffuser 434A.
[0209] Spigot 450 includes flowline 446A,B communicating with
fitting 445 as shown in FIG. 20. Flowline 446A,B includes a
T-portion as shown in FIG. 59 disposed within spigot channel 453.
Flowline 446A,B extends between fitting 447 and diffuser 434A. In
this fashion, ozone flows from generator 438 via flowline 430 to
fitting 445, to flowline 446A, to fitting 447, and then to diffuser
434. Additionally, ozone flows from generator 438 via flowline 430
to fitting 445, to flowline 446B, and then to diffuser 434A. The
only opening that is formed in the walls 443, 444 of reservoir 441
is the single opening 442 that receives the spigot inlet portion
455 as shown in FIG. 59.
[0210] In order to operate the spigot 450, valve 452 is provided
that opens channel 453 so that water can flow from reservoir 441
via channel 453 to outlet opening 451. Arrow 448 in FIG. 59 shows
the direction of ozone flow in flowline 430 during use. Annular
flange 454 of spigot 450 forms an attachment to cabinet 401, being
secured in opening 442 using an interference fit, adhesive, or
other suitable connection.
[0211] In FIGS. 61 and 62, two additional constructions for a
spigot are shown, designated as spigot 460 in FIG. 61 and spigot
460A in FIG. 62. Spigot 460 in FIG. 22 has a spigot channel 461,
annular flange 462 and a spigot inlet portion 464. The spigot 460
also provides an ozone channel 465 that communicates with spigot
channel 461. Valving member 467 prevents the flow of ozone from
flowline 430 to directly to water inlet opening 456. Rather, when
ozone is being dispensed into channel 461, back pressure causes
valving member 467 to close. The valving member 467 is pivotally
attached to spigot 460 at pivot 468.
[0212] The valving member 467 is normally closed due to gravity and
back pressure and opens when water is being dispensed as when valve
452 is opened. Valving member 467 can be partially open due to
bouyancy. However, it will close after ozone begins to flow as
shown by arrows 466. The spigot 460 provides the same dispensing
portion that includes a valving member 452 and a valve outlet 451
as shown in FIG. 59. Those portions have been removed from FIG. 61
for purposes of clarity.
[0213] In FIG. 61, arrow 466 shows the flow of ozone from flowline
430 through fitting 463 to ozone channel 465. The ozone flowing in
channel 465 reaches fitting 447 that is connected to diffuser 434.
Ozone flows from flowline 430 to diffuser 434 and without the
necessity of a second opening in reservoir wall 443. Arrow 469
schematically illustrates the opening and closing of valving member
467.
[0214] In FIG. 62, another spigot 460A is shown. The spigot 468 is
a construction that can be used to modify an existing spigot
because the spigot inlet portion 464A is a "retrofit" part. In FIG.
62, the existing spigot on a cooler/dispenser is milled to receive
the retrofit spigot inlet portion 464A. The spigot inlet portion
464A provides water inlet opening 471 and ozone channel 470. The
ozone channel 470 communicates with a fitting 473 that can be
integrally formed with the spigot inlet portion 464A. Arrow 472 in
FIG. 62 shows the path of water being dispensed when the valve 452
is opened and water flows from reservoir 441 to water inlet opening
471 and to spigot channel 461. When water is not being dispensed
and ozone is to be transmitted via flowline 430, the valving member
467 closes because of gravity and back pressure. Ozone enters the
channel 461 and also the ozone channel 470.
[0215] The following table lists the parts numbers and parts
descriptions as used herein and ached hereto.
1 PARTS LIST Part Number Description 10 water dispenser 10A water
dispenser 10B water dispenser 10C water dispenser 11 cabinet 12
lower end 13 upper end 14 cover 15 annular flange 16 gasket 17
opening 18 bottle 19 bottle neck 20 reservoir 21 interior 22
reservoir side wall 23 reservoir bottom wall 24 open top 25 water
surface 26 spigot 27 spigot 28 refrigeration coil 29 compressor 30
flow line 31 flow line 32 heat exchanger 33 electrical line 34 plug
35 flow line 36 outlet port 37 diffuser 37A diffuser 37B diffuser
37C diffuser 37D diffuser 37E diffuser 37F diffuser 38 air line 39
fitting 40 housing 41 electrical line 42 controller 43 plug 44
receptacle 45 flange 46 opening 47 lower end 48 upper end 49
opening 50 ozone generator 51 transformer 52 electrical line 53
motor 54 blower 55 air line 56 air inlet 57 ozone generator housing
58 lower housing section 59 upper housing section 60 flange 61
flange 62 gasket 63 bolted connection 64 internally threaded
opening 65 arrow 66 arrow 67 bubble 68 foot 69 opening 70 angle 71
filter 72 porous body 73 inner surface 74 outer surface 75 hollow
bore 76 non-porous coating 77 end portion 78 end portion 79 elbow
fitting 80 body 81 leg 82 leg 83 coupling material 84 bore 85 bore
86 external threads 87 stab fitting 88 grinding tool 89 shaft 90
exposed face 91 arrow 92 bubble 100 spigot 100A spigot 100B spigot
100C spigot 100D spigot 100E spigot 100F spigot 101 spigot housing
102 handle 103 annular flange 104 threads 105 horizontal bore 106
vertical bore 107 flow outlet 108 valve body 109 annular shoulder
110 operating rod socket 111 operating rod 112 return spring 113
socket 114 cap 115 internal threads 116 external threads 117
retainer 118 annular flange 119 annular flange 120 annular groove
121 transverse opening 122 transverse opening 123 pin 124 cam
surface 125 collar 126 central opening 127 dual contact barrel 128
receptacle 129 plug 130 electrical line 131 electrical line 132
waterproof seal 133 ozone supply fitting 134 diffuser 135 barb
connector 136 flow tube 137 flow bore 138 electrical lead 139
electrical lead 140 passageway 141 user 142 arrow 143 spigot body
144 valve handle 145 flow sensor 146 instrumentation line 147
magnetic flow sensor 148 electrical line 149 electrical line 150
ozone discharge tube 151 dielectric tubing 152 longitudinal bore
153 foil adhesive tape section 154 release liner 155 foil adhesive
tape section 156 release liner 157 arrow 158 electrode 159 spring
clip 160 conduit 161 conduit 162 safety cover 163 circuit board 164
clamp 165 exposed part 166 outer surface 167 lead 168 lead 169
blower 170 flow sensor 171 electromagnet 172 flow sensor 173
electrical supply line 174 instrumentation line 175 instrumentation
line 176 extension tube 177 flow bore 178 extension tube 179 flow
bore 180 extension tube 181 flow bore 182 nut 183 external threads
184 extension tube 185 timer 186 pump 187 float valve controller
188 float 189 water level 190 water level 191 air pressure
controller 192 fluid pressure controller 193 contact 194 electrical
line 195 arrow 196 electrical line 197 instrumentation line 198
instrumentation line 200 silicone tube 201 bore 202 fitting 203
connector 204 wall 205 opening 206 diffuser insert 207 tube 208
wall 209 Socket 210 top section 211 bottom section 212 bore 213
module 214 stab fitting 215 fitting 216 inlet 217 blade 218 tube
219 wall 220 bore 221 slot 222 connector 223 annular body 223A body
223B body 224 annular channel 224A flow channel 225 inlet fitting
225A fitting 226 arrow 226A inlet 227 arrow 228 upper retainer 228A
upper ring 229 lower retainer 229A lower ring 230 opening 231
annular sheet 231A sintered metal sheet 232 slotted opening 233
water surface 234 body 235 coating 236 channel 237 channel 238
center 239 diffuser material 240 interlocking annular section 241
interlocking annular section 242 interlocking annular section 243
interlocking annular section 244 channel 245 bubbles 250 pump 251
pump 252 channel 253 diffuser section 254 channel 255 diffuser
section 256 lining 257 droplet 258 gas and vapor mixture 260 media
261 bubble spacing 262 orifice 263 coating 270 control valve 271
fitting 272 fitting 273 barrel 274 bore 275 ball 276 fitting 277
enlarged lower end 278 lower end 279 O-ring 280 flange 281 flange
282 valve member 283 flange 284 threads 285 internal threads 286
Knurled surface 287 valve seat 300 valve 301 body 302 interior 303
flow inlet 304 outlet 305 bellows 306 arrow 307 interior 308 arrow
309 valve seat 310 conical surface 311 knob 400 water dispenser 401
cabinet 402 cover 403 annular flange 404 gasket 405 opening 406
bottle 407 neck 408 opening 409 reservoir 410 bottom 411 wall 412
outlet 413 channel 414 flow bore 415 spigot 416 valve 417
dispensing opening 418 spigot flow channel 419 first passage 420
second passage 421 tangent position 422 spiral arrow 423 diffuser
424 opening 425 O-ring 426 closure cap 427 internally threaded
opening 428 fitting 429 fitting 430 ozone flowline 431 ozone
flowline 432 ozone generator module 438 ozone generator 439 arrow
440 blower 441 reservoir 442 opening 443 wall 444 bottom 445
fitting 446 flowline 446A flowline portion 446B flowline portion
447 fitting 448 arrow 450 spigot 451 outlet 452 valve 453 spigot
channel 454 annular flange 455 spigot inlet portion 456 water inlet
opening 457 arrow 460 spigot 460A spigot 461 channel 462 annular
flange 463 fitting 464 spigot inlet portion 464A spigot inlet
portion 465 ozone channel 466 arrow 467 valving member 468 pivot
469 arrow 470 ozone channel 471 water inlet opening 472 arrow 473
fitting
[0216] The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example
only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by
the following claims.
* * * * *