US20140208951A1 - Bottled water dispensers with single-serve coffee brewing features - Google Patents

Abstract

Water dispenser and coffee making devices that include a cabinet configured to house a water bottle in a bottom half of the interior portion of the cabinet; a cold tank that is configured to receive water from the water bottle, which is connected to an evaporator; one or more hot tanks that are configured to receive water (directly or indirectly) from the cold tank, which are connected to a heating coil to heat the water that is contained therein; and a coffee making device located on a top side of the cabinet, which (i) receives water from the hot tank, receives a disposable cartridge that contains coffee grinds for a single-serving of coffee, and causes water to contact the coffee grinds to produce a coffee beverage and (ii) employs a blunt- and sharp-ended spike, which are positioned to make water entry and exit apertures in the coffee cartridge, which are positioned in a way that prevents user injury from such spikes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to the field of bottled water dispensers and coffee brewing devices and, more particularly, to combination devices that include bottled water dispensing features and coffee brewing devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The demand for clean and healthy drinking water is increasing dramatically, which is being driven by the rapid growth in population and standards of living across the globe. This demand has translated into a continuing need for safe, clean, and easy to use water dispensers, including for both hot and cold water. In addition, both residential homes and commercial offices will typically have at least one coffee brewing device. Indeed, coffee is among the most frequently-consumed beverages in the world. Since bottled water dispensers often include a source of clean and consumable drinking water, it would be advantageous to combine and integrate the features and functionalities of bottled water dispensers, including for both hot and cold water, and coffee brewing devices (and, particularly, single-serve coffee brewing devices). Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide a product, which combines hot/cold water dispensing features and coffee brewing devices, and is able to produce a single-serve coffee beverage quickly and with consistent quality.
• As the following will demonstrate, many of the foregoing needs are addressed by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• According to certain aspects of the invention, a bottom-loading bottled water dispenser is provided, which includes an exterior cabinet; an interior space that is configured to house a water bottle within the bottom half of the dispenser; a cold water tank and means for dispensing cold water from such tank; a first hot water tank and means for dispensing water from such tank; and a second hot water tank that is configured to deliver hot water to a coffee making device (with the second hot water tank being configured to receive water from the first hot water tank). The water dispenser further includes one or more flow sensors, which monitor the flow of water into, and volumes of water contained within, the cold and hot water tanks described herein. The invention provides that the coffee making device is integrated into the water dispenser and, preferably, is a single-serve coffee making device. In certain embodiments, the second hot water tank will be configured to be smaller in size (based on its volume), relative to the first hot water tank. The water dispenser will include a hot water pump, which causes hot water to travel from the first hot water tank to the second hot water tank, to back-fill water that leaves the second hot water tank as coffee is made by a user. In certain alternative embodiments, the invention provides that the bottled water dispenser includes a single hot water tank, which is configured to hold water that a user may dispense as desired—and is further configured to supply hot water to the coffee making device.
• According to such aspects of the invention, when the water dispenser includes two separate hot tanks, the water that will eventually be used to make coffee may be held at a sufficiently high temperature, e.g., about 92-96 degrees Celsius, within the second hot water tank. The invention provides that replacement water that enters the second hot water tank, from the first hot water tank, may quickly be heated to the desirable coffee-making temperature, e.g., about 92-96 degrees Celsius, since the starting temperature will already be elevated from being held in the first hot water tank. This design also reduces the “waiting time” that is often associated with prior art coffee makers, since the water in the second hot tank is held at a temperature that may be effectively and immediately used to produce coffee. Alternatively, when the water dispenser of the present invention comprises a single hot water tank, the hot water tank will be configured to receive water from the cold tank, and then quickly heat the water to a temperature that is suitable for use in producing a coffee beverage as described herein.
• The above-mentioned and additional features of the present invention are further illustrated in the Detailed Description contained herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• FIG. 1: A side interior (cross-sectional) view of a water dispenser described herein, which includes two hot tanks.
• FIG. 2A: A front interior (cross-sectional) view of the water dispenser ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 2B: A side view of the lid portion of the water dispenser ofFIG. 2A.
• FIG. 3: A top side view of the water dispenser ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 4: An illustration of the cold tank that is incorporated into the water dispensers described herein.
• FIG. 5: A diagram that illustrates the arrangement of the two hot tanks, the cold tank, the various solenoids and one-way valves, water pumps, and flow sensors of the water dispenser ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 6: A side interior (cross-sectional) view of a water dispenser described herein, which includes one hot tank.
• FIG. 7A: A front interior (cross-sectional) view of the water dispenser ofFIG. 6.
• FIG. 7B: A side view of the lid portion of the water dispenser ofFIG. 7A.
• FIG. 8: A diagram that illustrates the arrangement of the hot tank, the cold tank, the various solenoid and one-way valves, pumps, and flow sensors of the water dispenser ofFIG. 6.
• FIG. 9A: An illustration of a hot tank that includes a baffle, which can be used in the water dispenser ofFIG. 6.
• FIG. 9B: Another illustration of the hot tank ofFIG. 9A.
• FIG. 9C: A side cross-sectional view of a ring seal and a clamp, which are holding together the upper and lower portions of the hot water tank.
• FIG. 9D: A bottom perspective view of the hot tank baffle described herein.
• FIG. 9E: An illustration of the interior portion of a hot tank, showing a heating coil, which can be used in the water dispenser ofFIG. 6.
• FIG. 9F: Another illustration of the hot tank ofFIG. 9E.
• FIG. 9G: A cross-sectional view of the hot water tank, showing the hot water tank baffle described herein.
• FIG. 10: An illustration of the cold tank that is incorporated into the water dispenser ofFIG. 6.
• FIG. 11A: An illustration of a water dispenser and coffee making device of the present invention.
• FIG. 11B: An illustration of another water dispenser and coffee making device of the present invention, which is taller than the dispenser ofFIG. 11A.
• FIG. 12: A top side view of a bottle tray that is used in the water dispensers described herein.
• FIG. 13: An illustration of the sharp-ended spike of the coffee making device described herein.
• FIG. 14: An illustration of the blunt-ended spike of the coffee making device described herein.
• FIG. 15: An illustration of second hot tank described herein.
• FIG. 16: An illustration of the topside of a water dispenser described herein, with the top cover removed, which shows the square-shaped top portion of the cold tank.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The following will describe in detail several preferred embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are provided by way of explanation only, and thus, should not unduly restrict the scope of the invention. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that the invention teaches many variations and modifications, and that numerous variations of the invention may be employed, used and made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
• Referring now toFIGS. 1-5, according to certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, bottom loading water dispensers are provided10. The water dispensers generally comprise a cabinet having anexterior portion12 and aninterior portion14, with theinterior portion14 including atop half16 and abottom half18. The bottom loading water dispensers include awater bottle20 that is disposed in thebottom half18 of theinterior portion14 of the cabinet (in an upright position). The water dispensers will include a set of (hot22A/cold22B) waterdispensing actuator buttons22, which may be operated to dispense both cold water and hot water, as desired (i.e., to cause water to be extracted from thewater bottle20, travel through a set of interior tubes, through a cold tank (and, for hot water, through a hot tank), and exit through a cold or hot water tap). In addition, the invention provides that the water dispenser will include a fully integratedcoffee making device24, which will preferably be a single-serve coffee making device. As described further below, the invention provides that thecoffee making device24 will utilize water that is originally housed within thewater bottle20, and transferred to a set of two hot water tanks (described below), prior to being used to produce coffee by thecoffee making device24. In certain alternative embodiments, the water that is originally housed within thewater bottle20 may be transferred to a single hot water tank (FIGS. 6-8), prior to being used to produce coffee by thecoffee making device24.
• More specifically, in certain preferred embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-5, the water dispensers of the present invention comprise a firsthot tank26, a second hot tank28 (positioned above the first hot tank26), acold tank30, a flow meter36 (configured to monitor the volume of water that flows from the firsthot tank26 to the second hot tank28), a one-way valve34 (configured to allow water to leave the secondhot tank28 and enter thecoffee making device24 and further designed to prevent brewed coffee from leaving thecoffee making device24 and flowing back into thehot tank28 due to the pressure created in the coffee making device24), a first pump32 (configured to cause water to move from the firsthot tank26 to the second hot tank28), an optional solenoid valve38 (which is normally closed and in-line between the firsthot tank26 to the second hot tank28), a compressor40 (for the cooling system of the cold tank30), a second pump42 (configured to cause water to move from thewater bottle20 to the cold tank30), awater bottle20, and acoffee making device24.
• According to such embodiments, the invention provides that thecoffee making device24 employs the use of the dual hot tank design described herein, in order to ensure that optimal water temperatures can be quickly achieved when brewing coffee with the device. More particularly, the invention provides that water in thewater bottle20 will enter thecold tank30 of the water dispenser, via a force provided by thesecond pump42. The water that is held within thecold tank30 may then travel, via hydrostatic forces and a cold water outlet, into the firsthot tank26. In the firsthot tank26, the water is heated, e.g., via a set of electric heating coils64 (FIG.9E/9F), to a final temperature that ranges between 75 and 96 degrees Celsius, and preferably between 85 and 96 degrees Celsius. The invention provides that the heating coils64 may reside within, or outside of and directly adjacent to, the hot tanks described herein. The steam that is created within the firsthot tank26 will be allowed to re-circulate and travel back to thecold tank30 via one or more outlet (vapor) tubes60 (FIG. 5). In addition, the invention provides that the firsthot tank26 is operably connected with ahot water outlet54, which may be used to dispense hot water from the dispenser (by a user operating the hotwater actuator button22A to cause water to flow from the hot water tap), e.g., if a user wants to access hot water to make, for example, a hot tea or hot chocolate beverage.
• According to such embodiments, the hot water that is contained within the firsthot water tank26 may also flow into the secondhot water tank28, which supplies water to thecoffee making device24, via an optional solenoid (or one-way)valve38, afirst flow sensor36, and afirst pump32. The optional solenoid (or one-way)valve38 may be closed, unless water is traveling from the firsthot water tank26 to the secondhot water tank28. In the secondhot water tank28, the water is heated, e.g., via a set of electric heating coils, to a final temperature that preferably ranges between 92 and 96 degrees Celsius.
• The invention provides that the steam and excess hot water (created due to expansion from the water heating process) that is generated within the secondhot water tank28 may be diverted back to thecold tank30 through thesolenoid valve9. The one-way solenoid valve9 is typically open (unless water is being diverted to the coffee making device24) and is connected to an outlet (vapor)tube62. The invention provides that thesolenoid valve9 will preferably be open and allow steam that is generated within the secondhot water tank28 to be diverted back to thecold tank30 at all times (through theoutlet tube62 and solenoid valve9), unless water is being transferred from the secondhot water tank28 to thecoffee making device24 viatube63, which includes a one-way spring-loadedvalve34. The one-way spring-loadedvalve34 is normally closed due to a light force provided by the spring, such that steam and vapors do not drip into thecoffee making device24, but will be caused to open by water pressure, when water is transferred from the secondhot water tank28 to thecoffee making device24.
• In addition, the invention provides that the controls of the water dispenser (FIG. 3) may be operated to cause hot water to travel from the secondhot water tank28 and into thecoffee making device24. Within thecoffee making device24, the hot water makes contact with an appropriate volume of coffee grinds, which melts the coffee grinds to create the desired coffee beverage. In such embodiments, the coffee grinds may reside in a plastic, disposable cartridge, whereby thecoffee making device24 is configured to make a hot water entry aperture and hot water exit aperture in the cartridge (which may be comprised of tin foil, plastics, or combinations thereof), such that the hot water may enter the cartridge, contact the coffee grinds, dissolve the coffee grinds to produce a coffee beverage, and then be expelled from the cartridge through the exit aperture, such that the coffee beverage may be dispensed via a dedicated coffee outlet56 (and coffee tap).
• More particularly, the invention provides that thecoffee making device24 may comprise two hollow spikes, which are configured to create the hot water entry and hot water exit apertures. Preferably, a first spike124 (FIGS. 2 and 14) will comprise a blunt end (located within a lid portion of the dispenser), which will be configured to pierce the top of the coffee cartridge to create the hot water entry aperture. The second spike122 (FIGS. 1 and 13) will be located in an area that is configured to receive the coffee cartridge, and will be configured to exhibit a sharp end, and to be capable of piercing the bottom of the cartridge to create the exit aperture. The invention provides that such spikes are hollow, with thefirst spike124 being coupled to a line that delivers water to the coffee making device24 (from a hot tank), and thesecond spike122 coupled to a line that removes coffee beverage fromcoffee making device24, and allows such coffee beverage to exit through the coffee outlet56 (and coffee tap). In addition, thespikes122,124 will preferably comprise a threaded end (or a roughed end), which is configured to help bond thespikes122,124 to the injected plastic housings into which thespikes122,124 are positioned and attached. The invention provides that thecoffee making device24 will preferably comprise a self-locking lid, which may be opened (and closed) at the top side of the cabinet of the water dispenser, such that the disposable cartridges (which contain the ground coffee ingredients) may be inserted into and removed from thecoffee making device24 as needed.
• According to certain preferred embodiments, the first spike124 (which exhibits a blunt end) will be recessed within (or, alternatively, flush with) a surrounding “safety” wall125 (FIGS. 1,2, and7). The invention provides that the surroundingwall125 will prevent a user from inadvertently making contact with thespike125 and potentially injuring his/her hand. In addition to the safety feature provided by thewall125, the blunt-ended shape of thespike124 further mitigates the chance for user injury.
• More particularly, the invention provides that a user may instruct the water dispenser to produce a serving of coffee, through a main control board58 located on the exterior cabinet of the water dispenser (e.g., on the top side of the exterior cabinet). The main control board58 will issue a signal to activate acontrol solenoid valve38, whereupon hot water that is contained within the firsthot water tank26 travels into the second hot water tank28 (with the force being provided by the pump32), with thefirst flow sensor36 controlling and monitoring water capacity of the secondhot water tank28. When the secondhot water tank28 reaches full capacity, thecontrol solenoid valve38 and pump32 stop working. As water is being pumped from the firsthot tank26 and into the secondhot tank28, hot water from the secondhot tank28 will forced into thecoffee making device24 viatube63. The one-way valve34 will be opened from its normally closed position by the force of the water. After the coffee beverage is produced, the secondhot tank28 remains full with water, which is heated within the secondhot water tank28 to a pre-defined temperature, e.g., 96-degrees Celsius, at which point the secondhot water tank28 operates to maintain the water at such temperature. This process minimizes the time that is required to produce a coffee beverage (since the water in the secondhot water tank28 is at the necessary brewing temperature). In addition, this process mitigates the cooling effect of the cold water that is provided to the hot tanks from thecold tank30, since the cold water is first transferred to the firsthot tank26 and heated, before it is later transferred to the secondhot tank28.
• Still more particularly, the invention provides that a user of the water dispenser may operate the main control board58 to instruct the dispenser to produce a single-serving of coffee and, in so doing, may specify the volume of the serving among two or more options (e.g., a “big cup” or “small cup”). Upon issuing such instructions via the main control board58, thecontrol solenoid valve38 and pump32 are activated, whereupon a defined amount of hot water that is contained within the firsthot water tank26 is forced into the secondhot water tank28. In turn, a proportionate amount of hot water that is contained in the secondhot water tank28 is forced (under pressure) into thecoffee making device24, where such water makes contact with coffee grinds as described above, which produces the desired coffee beverage that may be dispensed via adedicated coffee outlet56. The invention provides that thefirst flow sensor36 controls water capacity in the secondhot tank28, such that upon a user selecting the “big cup” or “small cup” option, theflow sensor36 will issue a signal when the flow of water has reached the pre-defined water flow that is correlated with the selected “big cup” or “small cup” setting. Upon theflow sensor36 issuing such a signal, the main control board58 issues an instruction to deactivate thecontrol solenoid valve38 and pump32 and to stop pumping water.
• According to certain embodiments of the invention, in addition to the flow sensors described herein (or as an alternative to such flow sensors), a set of electrodes may be used to monitor and determine when the water levels in thecold tank30 andhot tanks26,28 have reached full capacity. For example, when sufficient water is present in such tanks, a pair of electrodes (near the top of such tanks) will be immersed in water, such that an electrical current is allowed to flow between such electrodes. The electrical flow is communicated to the control board58, which issues a deactivation signal to the pumps. For example, when an electrical signal is detected by electrodes72 (FIG. 10) in thecold tank30, the control board58 may instruct thepump42 not to operate; whereas, if an electrical signal is not detected byelectrodes72 in the cold tank30 (and the water line resides below such electrodes), the control board58 may instruct thepump42 to activate and transfer water from thewater bottle20 to thecold tank30, until such time that an electrical signal is detected byelectrodes72.
• Similarly, for example, when an electrical signal is detected by electrodes in the secondhot tank28, the control board58 may instruct thepump32 not to operate; whereas, if an electrical signal is not detected by electrodes in the second hot tank28 (and the water line resides below such electrodes), the control board58 may instruct thepump32 to activate and transfer water from the firsthot tank26 to the secondhot tank28. This flow of water may further cause water to be hydrostatically transferred (back-filled) from thecold tank30 and into the firsthot tank26, since thecold tank30 will be positioned higher than the first hot tank26 (with the water that is extracted from thecold tank30 being replaced with water that is extracted from the water bottle20). Thevent tube60 permits steam and air to leave thehot tank26, which also facilitates the hydrostatic transfer of water from thecold tank30 into the firsthot tank26. Alternatively, as described herein, the current water volumes of thecold tank30 andhot tanks26,28 described herein may be monitored and calculated via in-line flow sensors. Referring toFIG. 10, thecold tank30 may further comprise a buoyantcold water baffle70, which rises and falls along with the water level within thecold tank30. Referring toFIG. 4, the invention further provides that amechanical float valve128 may, optionally, be employed to serve as a back-up water volume control for thecold water tank30.
• FIG. 15 provides an illustration of the secondhot tank28 described herein. According to certain embodiments, the secondhot tank28 may hold about 600 mL of water—and may be provided with up to about1500 watts to heat the water contained therein. Still referring toFIG. 15, the secondhot tank28 may have alower half138 and anupper half135, and comprise an intake water pipe139 (which receives water from the first hot tank26); anexternal heating element141; asafety cover140; a thermostat well136 for an electronic temperature sensor/thermostat; an O-ring seal133; aclamp137;electronic sensors134 for monitoring whether thehot tank28 is full (as described herein); a vent/steam return line131 (configured to return air and steam back to the cold tank30); and a water-exit port132 that is used to deliver water to thecoffee making device24. The invention provides that thehot tank28 may alternatively be welded together without aclamp137 and, furthermore, may include a mechanical thermostat (instead of an electronic thermostat). In addition, as explained herein in relation to certain alternative embodiments, thehot tank28 may comprise an internal heating element (in replacement of or in addition to the external heating element141).
• According to still further embodiments, and referring toFIG. 10, the invention provides that thecold tank30 will preferably exhibit an approximately rectangular shape, i.e., the perimeter of thecold tank30 exhibits a substantially rectangular perimeter and cross-section (unlike most cold tanks used in prior art water dispensers, which are typically cylindrical in shape). This is also shown inFIG. 16. The invention provides that the approximately rectangular shapedcold tank30 saves needed space within theinterior14 of the dispenser. The invention further encompasses the use of other space-saving and non-cylindrically, irregularly-shapedcold tanks30. Still further, thecold tank30 will preferably comprise an internal cooling evaporator74 (instead of an externally placed evaporator as in many prior art cooling tanks). The invention provides that the internal cooling evaporator74 will house the coolants that are used to chill the water that is contained within thecold tank30. More particularly, the evaporator74 will be comprised of stainless steel and copper or aluminum laminated material, with the exterior surface of the evaporator74 (which contacts the water in the cold tank30) being comprised of stainless steel. Still further, the invention provides that thecold tank30 will preferably be comprised of a food grade material, such as polypropylene material.
• Referring now toFIGS. 6-8, in certain alternative embodiments, the invention provides that the water dispensers of the present invention may comprise only a singlehot tank80. The water dispensers in such embodiments will be similar to those described above, with the exception that the dispensers will include onehot tank80 instead of twoseparate tanks26,28 (FIGS. 1 and 5). According to such embodiments, the singlehot tank80 will receive water from thecold tank30. The water line between thecold tank30 andhot tank80 will include a flow meter43A andwater pump43B. The invention provides that when cold water is pumped from thecold tank30 into thehot tank80, the one-way valve43 will prevent such water from back-flowing into thecold tank30. In addition, the one-way valve43 will close upon receiving a signal that water is being transferred from thehot tank80 to the coffee making device24 (in certain alternative embodiments, the one-way valve43 may be a solenoid valve).
• According to such embodiments, the water line between thehot tank80 and thecoffee making device24 may also include a one-way spring-loadedvalve33, which may exist in a “closed” position, unless a user instructs the dispenser to produce a cup of coffee as described herein, in which case the water pressure (provided by thewater pump43B) will cause the one-way spring-loadedvalve33 to open and allow a defined volume of water to be transferred from thehot tank80 and into the coffee making device24 (although a one-way spring-loadedvalve33 may be employed as described, the invention provides that a solenoid valve may also be used). Still further, as in the other embodiments described herein, the water dispenser will include apump43B, which is configured to pump water from thecold tank30 and into thehot tank80, with a flow meter43A located in such water line between thecold tank30 andhot tank80, with the flow meter being configured to monitor and restrict the volume of water that is transferred from thecold tank30 and into thehot tank80, to the volume of water that corresponds to, and is needed to produce, the desired volume of coffee beverage.
• Referring toFIG. 9A-9G, thehot tank80 may comprise one or more internally mountedthermostats90 that are configured to monitor the temperature of the water contained therein, and communicate such information to the control board58 (in certain alternative embodiments, thethermostats90 may be externally mounted). In thehot tank80, the water is heated within a reasonable amount of time, e.g., via a set of electric heating coils64, to a final temperature that preferably ranges between 92 and 96 degrees Celsius. The invention provides that thehot tank80 may comprise abaffle92, which separates the interior portion of the hot tank into twoseparate chambers94,96. Thebaffle92 will be configured to allow water to travel from onechamber96 to another94, albeit slowly and gradually. Thebaffle92 is configured to be located between (1) the side that is closest to the heating coils64 and (2) the side that comprises the cold water intake area (i.e., theport102 through which water enters thehot tank80 from the cold tank30). This way, thebaffle92 serves as a type of barrier between the recently injected cold water, and existing hot water, and allows the two chambers of water to gradually be mixed and heated to equilibrium. In addition, thebaffle92 is configured to minimize the mixing of hot/cold water, while the injected cold water is displacing the hot water that is being transferred to thecoffee making device24.
• Referring toFIG. 9, thebaffle92 may exhibit a concave shape, which exhibits a perimeter that is configured to reside adjacent to the interior surface of the hot tank80 (and may include a set oftabs106 that are configured to mechanically position and hold thebaffle92 within the hot tank80). The concave shape of thebaffle92 serves to deflect water down, which rises after being heated by the bottom of the hot tank80 (the bottom of thehot tank80 is embedded with, connected to, or brazed to a heating element95/heating coil64). In addition, the invention provides that thebaffle92 may comprise one or more apertures109 through which water may move from onechamber96 to another94 of the hot tank80 (FIG. 9G).
• The invention provides that thewater heating cons64 may operate under a wattage regulator, which is programmed to use moderate wattage, e.g., 425-500 watts, for heating the water contained in thehot tank80. The invention further provides that a user may select—through the control board58—a preheat option. The preheat option may instruct thehot tank80 to activate a full wattage program (e.g., totaling 1200 watts, and up to 1500 watts), which may be employed to expedite the heating of water contained in thehot tank80 for the purpose of making a coffee beverage.
• Still further, the water dispensers of the present invention may comprise a power-saving “sleep option.” More particularly, the control board58 may include an interface that allows a user to specify a regular daily period of time during which the dispenser is not often used, referred to herein as the “sleep time” or “down time” (e.g., during the late night hours when most people are sleeping and not using the dispenser). During the defined “sleep time” periods, the preferred temperature(s) of the hot tank(s) described herein may drop, which will thereby save and preserve the amount of energy that is necessary to maintain the water at the “normal” elevated temperatures. For example, in the case of a singlehot tank80 embodiment, during the “sleep time,” the preferred and maintained temperature of the water may drop to about 60-75 degrees Celsius (and preferably consume a moderate amount of energy). In the event that a user attempts to dispense hot water during the ‘sleep time” (or activates a pre-heat function on the coffee making device24), a heating boost function may be deployed, whereby the heating cons activate and are provided with additional wattage to quickly heat the water to a preferred range of 92 and 96 degrees Celsius.
• In the case of a dualhot tank26,28 embodiment, during the normal/operational time periods, the wattage provided to the firsthot tank26 may range between 400-600 watts, and the wattage provided to the secondhot tank28 may have a connected load up to 1100 watts (so long as the total wattage, between the first and secondhot tanks26,28, does not exceed 1500 watts). During the “sleep time,” the secondhot tank28 may be completely disconnected or, alternatively, provided with a cyclical amount of wattage (e.g., bursts of 4-60 watts every second or fraction thereof) to maintain the temperature of the water contained therein within a defined range—albeit within a range that is the same as, or cooler than, the temperature of the water during normal operational time periods. As mentioned above, in certain alternative embodiments, the heating coils for one or both of the twohot tanks26,28 may be deactivated entirely during the “sleep time.” Still further, in certain additional embodiments, the invention provides that the power-saving “sleep option” may be used to entirely deactivate the entire dispenser (i.e., all functions) during a defined period of time, i.e., remove all power provided to the cold tank and hot tank(s).
• Referring to the embodiment above, whereby a hot tank may power-down during “sleep time” by receiving cyclical amounts of wattage, the invention provides that the magnitude and frequency of the wattage bursts may be adjusted in real time. For example, if the temperature of the water within the hot tank falls below a defined range, the frequency (and/or magnitude) of the supplied wattage may be increased (to heat the water); if the temperature of the water within the hot tank elevates above the defined range, the frequency (and/or magnitude) of the supplied wattage may be decreased (to allow the water to cool); and if the temperature of the water within the hot tank falls within the defined range, the frequency (and/or magnitude) of the supplied wattage will be maintained.
• As mentioned above, the water dispensers of the present invention include a set of water dispensingactuator buttons22. The waterdispensing actuator buttons22 will preferably include at least one child safety latch in at least one of the buttons (the hotwater actuator button22A). The child safety latch preferably comprises an element that is configured to be moved in a first direction (on the exterior surface of the actuator button22), e.g., inward and towards the center of the button, which allows the actuator button to then be pushed downwards to cause hot water to be dispensed. When the child safety latch is released (and the force that moved the element in the first direction is removed), an internal spring will force the element back in a second direction, which prevents the actuator button from being pushed downwards (thereby preventing hot water from being dispensed).
• Referring now toFIG. 11, according to further embodiments of the present invention, the water dispensers include a front door67 that includes adrip tray69. Thedrip tray69 is preferably built into the front door67, such that it is located beneath the external taps (which dispense water and coffee), and is integrally formed into the top portion of the front door67 of the cabinet. This configuration has been found to increase the amount of room that is available to place a glass (or other container) beneath the external taps when receiving dispensed water or coffee, while simultaneously reducing the total height of the water dispenser (which is beneficial for shipping and retail storage purposes). In addition, the dispensers may comprise acoffee cup platform68, which may be varied in height to accommodate different sized cups (and to preferably position the top of the cup in the proximity of the coffee tap). The invention provides that the cabinet of the water dispensers may be comprised of various materials, such as stainless steel, plastics, or other materials.
• Referring now toFIG. 12, according to certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the dispensers further include abottle tray76 disposed at the bottom of thebottom half18 of theinterior portion14 of the cabinet. Thebottle tray76 is configured to receive the bottom surface of thewater bottle20 in an upright position. Importantly, thebottle tray76 is slanted from afront side78A to abackside78B of thetray76. That is, when facing the front of the water dispenser, i.e., the side on which theactuator buttons22 are located, thebottle tray76 is higher at thefront side78A thereof than thebackside78B of thetray76. The slope of the slant will preferably range from 5-30 degrees. This configuration facilitates the insertion of afull water bottle20 into thebottom half18 of theinterior portion14 of the cabinet (in an upright position). The invention provides that thebottle tray76 may also comprise a recessedarea82 that is configured to receive a bottom surface of thewater bottle20. Thebottle tray76 may comprise aperimeter wall84, which is configured to prevent thewater bottle20 from falling out of the cabinet, particularly when pressure may be injected into the water bottle to extract water therefrom. According to such embodiments, thebottle tray76 may comprise alip86 that is configured to assist a user with inserting thewater bottle20 onto thebottle tray76.
• The many aspects and benefits of the invention are apparent from the detailed description, and thus, it is intended for the following claims to cover all such aspects and benefits of the invention, which fall within the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, because numerous modifications and variations will be obvious and readily occur to those skilled in the art, the claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described herein. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents should be understood to fall within the scope of the invention as claimed herein.

Claims (18)

What is claimed is:

1. A water dispenser and coffee making device, which comprises:

(a) a cabinet having an exterior portion and an interior portion, wherein the interior portion of the cabinet is configured to house a water bottle in a bottom half of the interior portion of the cabinet in an upright position;

(b) a cold tank that is configured to receive water from the water bottle, which is connected to an evaporator that is configured to cool the water that is contained within the cold tank;

(c) a hot tank that is configured to receive water from the cold tank, which is connected to a heating coil that is configured to heat the water that is contained within the hot tank;

(d) a coffee making device located on a top side of the cabinet, which comprises a first blunt-ended spike that is configured to puncture a top side of a disposable cartridge that contains coffee grinds for a single-serving of coffee and a second sharp-ended spike that is configured to puncture the bottom side of the cartridge, wherein the coffee making device is further configured to (i) receive water from the hot tank, (ii) receive the disposable cartridge; and (iii) cause water to contact the coffee grinds to produce a coffee beverage; and

(e) one or more taps, which are configured to dispense cold water from the cold tank; hot water from the hot tank; and coffee beverage from the coffee making device.

2. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 1, wherein the cold tank exhibits an approximately rectangular perimeter.

3. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 2, which further comprises a flow sensor located in-line between the cold tank and hot tank, wherein the flow sensor is configured to monitor a volume of water that flows into the hot tank.

4. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 2, which further comprises a drip tray, which is located beneath the cold water tap, hot water tap, and coffee tap, and is integrally formed with a top portion of a front door of the cabinet.

5. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 2, which further comprises a bottle tray disposed in the bottom half of the interior portion of the cabinet that is configured to receive a bottom surface of the water bottle in the upright position, wherein the bottle tray is slanted from a front side to a back side of the bottle tray.

6. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 5, which further comprises a power-saving program, whereby a user may operate the program through the control board to instruct the dispenser to consume less energy during a defined period of time each day, relative to an amount of energy that the dispenser consumes during all other periods of time during each day.

7. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 6, wherein the dispenser consumes less energy during the defined period of time each day by supplying cyclical bursts of wattage to the heating coil.

8. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 7, wherein the first blunt-ended spike is recessed within or flush with a surrounding safety wall of a lid of the dispenser.

9. A water dispenser and coffee making device, which comprises:

(a) a cabinet having an exterior portion and an interior portion, wherein the interior portion of the cabinet is configured to house a water bottle in a bottom half of the interior portion of the cabinet in an upright position;

(b) a cold tank that is configured to receive water from the water bottle, which is connected to an evaporator that is configured to cool the water that is contained within the cold tank;

(c) a first hot tank that is configured to receive water from the cold tank, which is connected to a heating coil that is configured to heat the water that is contained within the first hot tank;

(d) a second hot tank that is configured to receive water from the first hot tank, wherein the second hot tank is connected to a heating coil that is configured to heat the water that is contained within the second hot tank;

(e) a coffee making device located on a top side of the cabinet, which is configured to (i) receive water from the second hot tank, (ii) receive a disposable cartridge that contains coffee grinds for a single-serving of coffee; and (iii) cause water to contact the coffee grinds to produce a coffee beverage; and

(f) one or more taps, which are configured to dispense cold water from the cold tank; hot water from the first hot tank; and coffee beverage from the coffee making device.

10. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 9, wherein the cold tank exhibits an approximately rectangular perimeter.

11. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 10, wherein:

(a) the first hot tank is configured to heat the water contained therein to a temperature that ranges between 75-95 degrees Celsius; and

(b) the second hot tank is configured to heat the water contained therein to a temperature that ranges between 92-96 degrees Celsius.

12. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 11, wherein the first hot tank is configured to hold a larger volume of water than the second hot tank.

13. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 12, which further comprises a flow sensor located in-line between the first hot tank and second hot tank, wherein the flow sensor is configured to monitor a volume of water that is being displaced in the second hot tank and being transferred to the coffee making device.

14. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 13, wherein the second hot tank comprises a set of electrodes, wherein the electrodes are configured to determine whether a volume of water within the second hot tank is above or below a defined threshold volume.

15. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 14, which further comprises a drip tray, which is located beneath the cold water tap, hot water tap, and coffee tap, and is integrally formed with a top portion of a front door of the cabinet.

16. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 15, which further comprises a bottle tray disposed in the bottom half of the interior portion of the cabinet that is configured to receive a bottom surface of the water bottle in the upright position, wherein the bottle tray is slanted from a front side to a back side of the bottle tray.

17. The water dispenser and coffee making device ofclaim 16, wherein the set of electrodes are configured such that:

(a) when water is present between such electrodes, an electrical current flows between the electrodes, wherein said electrical flow is detected by a control board, which then signals to a pump that the second hot tank contains a sufficient volume of water, and instructs the pump not to remove water from the first hot tank; and

(b) when water is not present between such electrodes, an electrical current does not flow between the electrodes, wherein an absence of electrical flow is detected by the control board, which then signals to the pump that the second hot tank contains an insufficient volume of water, and instructs the pump to remove water from the first hot tank and to fill the second hot tank until an electrical current is detected by the electrodes.

18. The water dispenser and coffee making device of claim19, which further comprises a power-saving program, whereby a user may operate the program through the control board to instruct the dispenser to consume less energy during a defined period of time each day, relative to an amount of energy that the dispenser consumes during all other periods of time during each day.

Images