U.S. patent application number 13/526727 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-27 for water filtration system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sunbeam Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Scott Beatty, Steven Fung, Terry Tang.
Application Number | 20120325342 13/526727 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47360694 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120325342 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beatty; Scott ; et
al. |
December 27, 2012 |
Water Filtration System
Abstract
A water filtration system is provided that includes a filter
section, a tank section, a pump section, a housing section and a
dispensing section. The filter section includes a high-pressure
water filter disconnected from a source of tap water. The tank
section includes an outer tank member and an inner tank member
fluidly connected to the filter section. The pump section is
fluidly connected to the filter section via a first conduit for
pumping water at a high pressure through the filter and is fluidly
connected to the outer tank member via a second conduit for drawing
unfiltered water from the outer tank member. The housing section
houses at least one of the filter section, the tank section and the
pump section. The dispensing section is fluidly connected to the
inner tank member for dispensing filtered water.
Inventors: |
Beatty; Scott; (Coral
Springs, FL) ; Tang; Terry; (Tseung Kwan O, HK)
; Fung; Steven; (Tuen Mun, HK) |
Assignee: |
Sunbeam Products, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
47360694 |
Appl. No.: |
13/526727 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61499559 |
Jun 21, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/544 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 2307/10 20130101;
C02F 2209/445 20130101; C02F 2209/40 20130101; C02F 9/005 20130101;
C02F 2201/006 20130101; C02F 2209/02 20130101; F25D 2323/121
20130101; C02F 2201/005 20130101; Y10T 137/794 20150401; C02F
2301/043 20130101; B67D 2210/00005 20130101; C02F 1/001
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/544 |
International
Class: |
E03B 7/07 20060101
E03B007/07 |
Claims
1. A water filtration system comprising: a filter section including
a high-pressure water filter disconnected from a source of tap
water; a tank section including an outer tank member and an inner
tank member fluidly connected to the filter section; a pump section
fluidly connected to the filter section via a first conduit for
pumping water at a high pressure through the filter, the pump
section being fluidly connected to the outer tank member via a
second conduit for drawing unfiltered water from the outer tank
member; a housing section housing at least one of the filter
section, the tank section and the pump section; and a dispensing
section fluidly connected to the inner tank member for dispensing
filtered water.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cooling section
including a cooling sink with at least a portion disposed in the
outer tank member for cooling the unfiltered water and the filtered
water.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a collection section
fluidly connected to the outer tank member.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing section includes a
fan aperture adjacent the cooling section and a grill over the fan
aperture.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the tank section further includes
a first insulation member and a second insulation member connected
to the first insulation member.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first insulation member and
the second insulation member are configured to house the outer tank
member.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing section includes a
solenoid member for controlling flow of filtered water from the
inner tank member.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the dispensing section includes a
spout disposed at an exterior of the housing section and a spout
paddle rotatably disposed at an exterior of the housing
section.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the spout paddle is rotatable to
open or close a switch for controlling the flow of the filtered
water.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the switch is electrically
communicated to the solenoid member.
11. A water filtration system comprising: an outer tank member
configured to hold unfiltered water; an inner tank member disposed
inside the outer tank member, the inner tank member being
configured to hold filtered water and having exterior walls exposed
to unfiltered water; and a cooling section disposed at the outer
tank member to cool the unfiltered water and the filtered water in
the inner tank member.
12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a filter section
fluidly connected to the inner tank member.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the filter section includes a
high-pressure water filter disconnected from a source of tap
water.
14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a pump section
fluidly connected to the outer tank member and the filter section
for pumping unfiltered water through the high-pressure water
filter.
15. The system of claim 11, further comprising a housing section
including a bottom housing member for supporting at least one of
the outer tank member, the inner tank member and the cooling
section, the bottom housing member being configured to rest on a
household countertop.
16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a collection section
fluidly connected to the outer tank member, the collection section
having a reservoir to receive unfiltered water.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the housing section has a
collection aperture opening into the collection section for pouring
unfiltered water through a portion of the housing section and into
the reservoir.
18. The system of claim 11, further comprising a dispensing section
fluidly connected to the inner tank member for dispensing filtered
water, the dispensing section including a solenoid member for
controlling flow of the filtered water.
19. The system of claim 11, wherein the cooling section includes a
cooling sink with at least a portion disposed in the outer tank
member for cooling the unfiltered water and the filtered water.
20. The system of claim 11, further comprising a first insulation
member and a second insulation member connected to the first
insulation member, the first insulation member and the second
insulation member being configured to house the outer tank member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/499,559,
filed on Jun. 21, 2011. The entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/499,559 is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a water
filtration system. More specifically, the present invention relates
to a water filtration system for controlling the dispensing
temperature of water and provides filtering and dispensing.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] Two types of filters are used for filtering liquids such as
water. The first is gravity filters which use the weight of water
to flow through the filter but the filtering rate is very slow.
Examples of devices that use gravity filters are pitchers and
kitchen countertop appliances. The second type of filter includes
faucet filters which use water pressure from the supply line to
force water through the filter at a fast rate allowing for
filtering and dispensing to occur at the same time. Examples of
devices that use water pressure to force water through the filter
include faucet filters, refrigerator filters and plumbed filtration
systems. One drawback of such devices is that they must be
connected to a pressurized source of water which reduces their
versatility and consumer appeal. There exists in the art water
filtration systems that utilize a pump to pressurize water being
supplied to a filter. One known problem with such systems is
controlling the dispensing temperature with residual water
temperature in the filter chamber, water lines, pump, etc. that are
outside of the chill tank which are at ambient temperature. The
higher temperature residual water causes the temperature of the
chilled water to be raised so that the water ultimately dispensed
is not at the temperature of the water in the chilled water
tank.
[0004] In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled
in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an
improved water filtration system that controls the dispensing
temperature of water and provides filtering and dispensing. This
invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs,
which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this
disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A water filtration system is provided that basically
comprises a filter section, a tank section, a pump section, a
housing section and a dispensing section. The filter section
includes a high-pressure water filter disconnected from a source of
tap water. The tank section includes an outer tank member and an
inner tank member fluidly connected to the filter section. The pump
section is fluidly connected to the filter section via a first
conduit for pumping water at a high pressure through the filter.
The pump section is fluidly connected to the outer tank member via
a second conduit for drawing unfiltered water from the outer tank
member. The housing section houses at least one of the filter
section, the tank section and the pump section. The dispensing
section is fluidly connected to the inner tank member for
dispensing filtered water.
[0006] In another embodiment of the present invention, a water
filtration system is provided that basically comprises an outer
tank member, an inner tank member and a cooling section. The outer
tank member is configured to hold unfiltered water. The inner tank
member is disposed inside the outer tank member. The inner tank
member is configured to hold filtered water and has exterior walls
exposed to unfiltered water. The cooling section is disposed at the
outer tank member to cool the unfiltered water and the filtered
water in the inner tank member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of
this original disclosure:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a water
filtration system according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of the water filtration system with a
portion of the housing section removed according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the housing
section of the water filtration system according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3A is a magnified view of region A marked on FIG. 3
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3B is a magnified view of region B marked on FIG. 3
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the collection section of the
water filtration system according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded and partial cross sectional view of
the tank section of the water filtration system according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional and perspective view of
portions of the housing section, tank section, pump section and
filter section of the water filtration system with portions of the
housing section, the collection section, the tank section, the
cooling section, the dispensing section, the control section and
the display section removed for clarity according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the cooling section of the
water filtration system according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pump section of the
water filtration system according to an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the display section of
the water filtration system according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a water filtration
system 1 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. The water filtration system 1 includes a housing
section 2, a collection section 4, a tank section 6, a cooling
section 8, a pump section 10, a filter section 12, a dispensing
section 14, a control section 16 and a display section 18.
[0020] The housing section 2 houses an assembly of the collection
section 4, the tank section 6, the cooling section 8, the pump
section 10, the filter section 12, the dispensing section 14, the
control section 16 and the display section 18. The housing section
2 includes a first housing member 20, a second housing member 22, a
bottom housing member 24, a cover member 26 and a cap member
28.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 3, the first housing member 20 is
generally U-shaped and encloses about half or one side of the
assembly. The first housing member 20 has an outwardly extending
flange portion 30 for attaching to the cover member 26 and for
supporting the collection section 4. The second housing member 22
is generally U-shaped and encloses about half or one side of the
assembly. The second housing member 22 has an outwardly extending
flange portion 32 for attaching to the cover member 26 and for
supporting the collection section 4. The first housing member 20 is
attached to the second housing member 22 by mating the U-shaped
members to form a substantially rectangular cavity for the assembly
to rest therein.
[0022] The first housing member 20 includes a fan aperture 34, a
grill 36, a grill recess portion 38, a power switch 40 and a power
switch aperture 42. The fan aperture 34 is disposed at an
approximate center area of the grill recess portion 38. The grill
recess portion 38 is a recessed area in the first housing member 20
that is sized and configured to receive the grill 36. The grill 36
attaches to the first housing member 20 in the grill recess portion
38 such that an exterior of the grill 36 substantially conforms
with contours of an exterior of the first housing member A. The
power switch aperture 42 is disposed below the grill recess portion
38 in the first housing member 20. The power switch 40 is a slide
switch attached to the first housing member 20 in the power switch
aperture 42.
[0023] The first housing member 20 and the second housing member 22
have mating arc shaped apertures 44, 46 that form a frame around a
chill knob 48. The chill knob 48 is a rotatable knob that is
attached to a rotary switch 50. The rotary switch 50 is
electrically connected to the cooling section 8 and/or the control
section 16 for temperature control. The chili knob 48 activates the
rotary switch 50 as a user turns the chill knob 48 to control a
temperature of water in the tank section 6.
[0024] The first housing member 20 and the second housing member 22
are disposed on the bottom housing member 24. At least a portion of
the tank section 6 and the pump section 10 are disposed at the
bottom housing member 24 as well. The bottom housing member 24 is
attached to a lower portion of the first and second housing members
20, 22. The bottom housing member 24 includes one or more drain
channels 52 that are configured to receive a removable plug 54. The
drain channels 52 are fluidly connected to the tank section 6. The
drain channels 52 extend substantially parallel to each other and
extend through the bottom housing member 24. Each of the drain
channels 46 is sized and configured to receive the removable plug
54 at a lower opening 56. The bottom housing member 24 further
includes multiple foot rubbers 5$ that are attached to a lower face
60 of the bottom housing member 24, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The
foot rubbers 58 contact a surface and slightly elevate the bottom
housing member 24 above the surface. The surface is generally level
and can be a household countertop, for example. The cover member 26
of the housing section 2 mates with the annular flange portions 30,
32. The cover member 26 includes a top cover 62 and a refill cover
64. The refill cover 64 is removably attached to the top cover 62.
The top cover 62 includes a first annular member 66 that forms a
perimeter of the top cover 62. The first annular member 66 forms a
downwardly facing sleeve portion 68 about its perimeter that is
attached to the annular flange portions 30, 32. The sleeve portion
68 fits over the top of the annular flange portions 30, 32 to
secure the cover member 26 to the first and second housing members
20, 22. The first annular member 66 also forms a cover aperture 70
within the perimeter that is sized to receive the refill cover 64.
The cover aperture 70 extends through the top cover 62 to provide a
passage for unfiltered water to be poured into the collection
section 4. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 3A, at a border of the cover
aperture 70 is an aperture wall 72 and an abutment wall 74. The
abutment wall 74 is connected to the aperture wall 72 and extends
inwardly from the aperture wall 72 so as to have an inner diameter
smaller than that of the aperture wall 72. That is, the abutment
wall 74 forms a platform 75, on which the refill cover 64
rests.
[0025] The refill cover 64 is sized and configured to fit into the
top cover 62. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 3B, the refill cover 64
includes an annular band 76 extending downwardly from a lower face
78 of the refill cover 64. The annular band 76 is sized and
configured to fit within the cover aperture 70 and contact an inner
diameter of the abutment wall 74. An outer perimeter 80 of the
lower face 78 contacts the platform 75 of the abutment wall 74.
When seated in the cover aperture 70, a top face 84 of the refill
cover 64 is substantially flush or aligned with a top face 86 of
the top cover 62.
[0026] The refill cover 64 includes a funnel portion 88 and a
refill aperture 90. The refill aperture 90 provides an ingress
opening for flow of pouring water into the funnel portion 88. The
funnel portion 88 extends downwardly from a border of the refill
aperture 90 at a gradient for guiding the flow of pouring water
into the collection section 4. The gradient of the funnel portion
88 ends at a funnel aperture 92 that is smaller than the refill
aperture 90.
[0027] The cap member 28 of the housing section 2 is attached to
the cover member 26. Specifically, the cap member 28 is configured
to rest in the refill aperture 90 and engages walls of the refill
aperture 90. The cap member 28 rests on a top face 94 of the funnel
portion 88. The top face 94 forms a platform in the refill aperture
90 for contact with the cap member 28. A portion of the cap member
28 pivots away from the cover member 26 about a hinge 96 to provide
space for unfiltered water to pour into the collection section 4
through the refill aperture 90.
[0028] Housing section 2 may take different forms. For example, the
top cover 62 and the refill cover 64 may be integral. The annular
flange portions 30, 32 may be absent. The first and second housing
members 20, 22 may not be U-shaped. The cover member 26 and the cap
member 28 may be integral.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, the collection section 4 receives
unfiltered water for temporary storage before filtering. The
collection section 4 rests on the annular flange portions 30, 32
and extends downwardly toward the bottom housing member 24 within
the first and second housing members 20, 22. The collection section
4 includes an inner cover member 98 and a reservoir member 100
attached to the inner cover member 98. The inner cover member 98
extends radially outward from the reservoir member 100 to contact
the annular flange portions 30, 32. The inner cover member 98 is
disposed within the first and second housing members 20, 22 so as
to cover the tank section 6, the cooling section 8, the pump
section 10 and the filter section 12 above the bottom housing
member 24.
[0030] The inner cover member 98 includes a second annular member
102, a reservoir aperture 104 and a filter aperture 106. The first
annular member 66 fits over the second annular member 102. The
reservoir aperture 104 is formed within the second annular member
102 and provides an opening to the reservoir member 100 for water.
The filter aperture 106 is also formed within the second annular
member 102. The filter section 12 is disposed at the filter
aperture 106.
[0031] The reservoir member 100 includes a base member 108 and
reservoir wall 110 attached to both the base member 108 and the
inner cover member 98. The base member 108 includes an outlet 111
connected to the tank section 6. The reservoir wall 110 is an
annular member extending between the base member 100 and the inner
cover member 98. The reservoir member 100 receives unfiltered water
poured through the cover member 26. The reservoir wall 110 forms a
reservoir cavity 113 to temporarily hold the unfiltered water until
allowed to flow to the tank section 6.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the tank section 6
includes a first insulation member 112, a second insulation member
114, an outer tank member 116 and an inner tank member 118. The
first and second insulation members 112, 114 are mated to enclose
the outer tank member 116. The first and second insulation members
112, 114 are comprised of an insulative material such as
polypropylene insulation material. The first and second insulation
members 112, 114 form rectangular apertures 120 that, when mated,
receive at least a portion of the cooling section 8, which extends
into the outer tank member 116 to chill the unfiltered water held
by the outer tank member 116. The outer tank member 116 is fluidly
connected to the outlet 111 of the reservoir member 100 via a
conduit portion 122. A mesh member 124 may be disposed in the
conduit portion 122 or the outlet 111 to strain solid particulates
from the water in the reservoir cavity 113.
[0033] The inner tank member 118 is disposed inside the outer tank
member 116. At least a portion of an exterior of the inner tank
member 118 is exposed to chilled, unfiltered water in the outer
tank member 116. The chilled, unfiltered water about the inner tank
member 118 cools the filtered water inside the inner tank member
118. The inner tank member 118 includes an inlet 125 and an outlet
127. The inlet 125 is connected to the filter section 12 and the
outlet 127 is connected to the dispensing section 14.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 7, the cooling section 8
includes a first cooling cover 126, a second cooling cover 128, a
cooling sink 130, a temperature sensor 132, a heat sink 134 and a
cooling fan 136. The first cooling cover 126 and the second cooling
cover 128 are disposed at opposite ends of the cooling section 8
from each other. The first cooling cover 126 mates with the
rectangular aperture of the first and second insulation members
112, 114. The first cooling cover 126 is a solid member that can
have ribs 138 for reinforcement. The first cooling cover 126
includes a sink aperture 140 that is sized and configured for the
cooling sink 130. The cooling sink 130 extends through the first
cooling cover 126 and into the outer tank member 116.
[0035] The cooling sink 130 includes a fin portion 142 and a sensor
portion 144. Multiple fins 146 are disposed at the fin portion 142.
The multiple fins 146 extend through the first cooling cover 126
and into the outer tank member 116. Unfiltered water in the outer
tank member 116 contacts the fin portion 142, which cools the
unfiltered water.
[0036] The temperature sensor 132 is disposed at the sensor portion
144 of the cooling sink 130. The temperature sensor 132 is
electrically or wirelessly connected to the control section 16. The
heat sink 134 is disposed adjacent the temperature sensor 132. The
heat sink 134 includes a fin portion 148 and a base portion 150.
The fin portion 148 includes multiple fins 152 that extend
outwardly away from the tank section 6. The base portion 150 faces
the temperature sensor 132. The fin portion 148 rests within the
second cooling cover 128. End portions of the fins 152 are disposed
adjacent the cooling fan 136. The second cooling cover 128 houses
the cooling fan 136. The second cooling cover 128 includes a first
receiving cavity 154 facing the tank section 6 and a second
receiving cavity 156 facing outwardly away from the heat sink 134.
The first receiving cavity 154 is configured and arranged to
receive the fin portion 148. The second receiving cavity 156 is
configured and arranged to receive the cooling fan 136 and secure
the cooling fan 136 adjacent the fins 152. The cooling fan 136 is
electrically connected to an electric motor 158, which is
electrically connected to the control section 16. The grill 36 is
disposed adjacent the electronic motor 158 and covers the fan 136.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 8, the pump section 10 includes a
pump 160, a pump motor 162 and a motor housing 164. The pump 160 is
fluidly connected to the filter section 12 via an outlet 166 and
fluidly connected to the outer tank member 116 via inlet 167. The
pump motor 162 drives the pump 160 to draw unfiltered water from
the outer tank member 116, and pump it through the filter section
12 and force it and into the inner tank member 118. The motor
housing 164 is a cylindrical sleeve sized to fit over the
cylindrical pump motor 162. The motor housing 164 includes multiple
foot members 168 connected to a bottom portion 170 of the motor
housing 164. The foot members 168 are connected to the bottom
housing member 24 to secure the pump section 10 to the housing
section 2.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6, the filter section 12
includes a filter receptacle member 172, a lid member 174 and a
fluid flow member 176. The filter receptacle member 172 is
cylindrical shaped and sized to receive a high-pressure water
filter 177 in a cavity 179 framed by the filter receptacle member
172. The lid member 174 attaches to a top portion of the filter
receptacle member 172 and closes the cavity 179 with the filter 177
therein. An O-ring or other type of seal may be used in conjunction
with the lid member 174 to close the filter receptacle member 172
with the high-pressure water filter 177 in the cavity 179. The
fluid flow member 176 includes an outlet 178 and an inlet 180. The
outlet 178 is fluidly connected to the inlet 125 of the inner tank
member 118. The inlet 180 is fluidly connected to the outlet 166 of
the pump 160.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dispensing section 14 is
fluidly connected to the tank section 6. The dispensing section 14
draws filtered water from the inner tank member 118 of the tank
section 6 and provides conduits for the water to flow out of the
housing section 2.
[0039] The dispensing section 14 includes a first conduit member
182, a second conduit member 184, a solenoid member 186 and a spout
member 188. The first conduit member 182 provides a passage for
filtered water to flow between the inner tank member 118 and the
solenoid member 186. An end portion of the first conduit member 182
is attached to the outlet 127 of the inner tank member 118 and an
opposite end portion of the first conduit member 182 is attached to
the solenoid member 186.
[0040] The solenoid member 186 is an electrically controlled
solenoid valve that includes an inlet portion 190 and an outlet
portion 192. The solenoid member 186 selectively stops or allows
fluid flow between the inlet portion 190 and the outlet portion
192. The inlet portion 190 is connected to the first conduit member
192. The outlet portion 192 is fluidly connected to the spout
member 188 via the second conduit member 184.
[0041] The spout member 188 dispenses filtered water and allows the
user to control the flow of filtered water. The spout member 188
includes a spout 194 and a spout paddle 196. The spout 194 is
fluidly connected to the outlet portion 192 via the second conduit
member 184. The spout paddle 196 is pivotally disposed adjacent the
annular flange portion 32, and extends downwardly therefrom. The
spout paddle 196 is also electrically connected to the solenoid
member 186, the pump section 10 and/or the control section 16. The
spout paddle 196 pivots between a rest position and an engage
position. Specifically, the spout paddle 196 is biased toward
maintaining the rest position in which the paddle 196 is
substantially parallel with the exterior of the second housing
member 22. At the engage position, a bottom end portion of the
paddle 196 contacts an exterior of the second housing member 22.
When a user pivots the spout paddle 196 toward the second housing
member 22 to reach the engage position, the paddle 196 closes a
switch 198 thereby signaling the solenoid member 186 to open and
allow the flow of filtered water from the inlet portion 190 to the
outlet portion 192.
[0042] With the spout paddle 196 at the engage position, the pump
motor 162 causes the pump 160 to pump unfiltered water from the
outer tank member 116 through the filter section 12 and into the
inner tank member 118. Filtered water that is pumped into the inner
tank member 118 mixes with previously filtered water stored in the
inner tank member 118. When the inner tank member 118 becomes full
or substantially full, additional filtered water that enters the
inner tank member 118 forces filtered water into the first conduit
member 182.
[0043] The control section 16 can include a microcomputer with an
operating control program that controls the pumping, cooling and
dispensing, as discussed herein. The control section 16 can also
include other conventional components such as a power circuit (not
shown), an input interface circuit (not shown), an output interface
circuit (not shown), and one or more storage devices (not shown),
such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) device and a RAM (Random Access
Memory) device. The power circuit is connected to an AC or DC power
source and directs power to the solenoid member 186, the pump 160,
the temperature sensor 132, the fan 136, etc., as well as provide
power to other circuits and components of the control section 16.
The input interface circuit can be electrically connected to the
rotary switch 44 for temperature control, for example. The output
interface circuit can be electrically connected to the display
section 18, for example. The storage device stores processing
results and control programs that are run by the processor circuit.
The control unit 16 is capable of selectively controlling any of
the cooling section 8, the pump section 10 or the display section
18 in accordance with the control program. It will be apparent to
those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the precise
structure and algorithms for the control section 16 can be any
combination of hardware and software that will carry out the
functions of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and
9, the display section 18 communicates a status to the user.
Specifically, the display section 18 displays a collection section
status, a tank section status, a cooling section status and/or a
filter section status. For the collection section status, the
display section 18 includes a ball check type water gauge 200
fluidly connected with the collection section 4 to display a level
of stored, unfiltered water. The water gauge 200 is disposed at the
second housing member 22 for easy viewing by the user.
[0044] For the tank section status and/or the cooling section
status, a temperature indicator 202 is disposed at the housing
section 2 for viewing by the user. Specifically; the temperature
indicator 202 is located at the top face 84 of the refill cover 64.
The temperature indicator 202 can indicate a specific temperature
of the water in the tank section 6 or can indicate a level of
cooling between a maximum level and a minimum level.
[0045] For the filter section status, the display section 18
includes a filter indicator 204. The filter indicator 204 includes
a series of juxtaposed LEDs 206 disposed at the top face 84 of the
refill cover 64 to indicate the remaining life of the high-pressure
filter 177. The LEDs 206 may light to indicate remaining life or,
in another embodiment, may light to indicate a level of use of the
high-pressure filter 177.
[0046] In operation, the water filtration system 1 pumps unfiltered
water through the high-pressure filter 177 and into the inner tank
member 118. The pump 160 draws unfiltered water from the outer tank
member 116 and pressurizes the conduit leading to the filter
section 12 with the unfiltered water to force water through the
high-pressure filter 177. The filtered water from the filter
section 12 exits under pressure via the outlet 178 into the inner
tank member 118. The newly filtered water mixes with
previously-filtered, remaining water and exits the inner tank
member 118 via outlet 127, traveling through conduit 182 toward the
solenoid member 186. The remaining water may be filtered water that
was prevented from being dispensed by the solenoid member 186 and
remained in the inner tank member 118. The solenoid member 186 is
activated by the spout paddle 196 moving to the engage position,
thereby closing the switch 198 and activating the solenoid member
186.
[0047] The water filtration system 1 directly chills unfiltered
water and indirectly chills filtered water. The outer tank member
116 does not hold water at ambient temperature. The cooling section
8, partially disposed in the outer tank member 116, chills the
unfiltered water in the outer tank member 116. Thus, the unfiltered
water is chilled when pumped from the outer tank member 116 and
through the filter section 12.
[0048] Furthermore, the chilled, unfiltered water in the outer tank
member 116 cools the exterior of the inner tank member 118 and
thereby chills the filtered water within the inner tank member 118.
Accordingly, when the newly-filtered water mixes with the
previously-filtered water in the inner tank member 118, the
temperature difference is not as great as if mixing water at
ambient temperature with chilled water. Thus, the mixing of the
previously-filtered water with the newly-filtered water does not
substantially raise the temperature of the water to be
dispensed.
GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS
[0049] In understanding the scope of the present invention, the
term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended
to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated
features, elements, components, groups and/or steps, but do not
exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements,
components, grottos and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to
words having similar meanings such as the terms, "including",
"having" and their derivatives. Also, the terms "part," "section,"
"portion," "member" or "element" when used in the singular can have
the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Finally,
terms of degree such as "substantially", "about" and
"approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of
deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not
significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as
including a deviation of at least .+-.5% of the modified term if
this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it
modifies.
[0050] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to
illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and
modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope
of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore,
the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the
present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for
the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents.
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