EP0990863A1 - Dispensing device for making cooled water - Google Patents

Abstract

The cooled water dispenser fountain has a flask (20) to receive a set quantity of water which is cooled by a refrigerating circuit (1) with thermo-electric Peltier elements and which has hot and cold heat exchangers (11,10). The hot heat exchanger has a finned metal body.

Description

The present invention relates to a fountain device for production of chilled water from water conditioned in lost bottle-like packaging.

We already know fountain devices of this type, they are intended for the distribution of fresh water in places public or offices.

Usually a device of this type has a body incorporating a tank into which a certain amount of water from a bottle placed head in bottom above said tank which is provided with a means of water withdrawal for example a tap. The cooling of the water contained in the tank is made through a compression and expansion refrigeration system for a gas refrigerant comprising at least one exchanger partially in said tank. Such a refrigeration system has the disadvantages of being bulky and of a high noise level.

We also know ice production devices using an effect-operated refrigeration system Peltier which, in a manner known per se, comprises modules thermoelectric connected to two heat exchangers the passage of an electric current in said modules causing the cooling of an exchanger and the dissipation of the heat in the other. Such an apparatus is described in the French application 96/05402, where the ice cubes are formed by spraying or spraying water on a cold profile of a Peltier effect module.

This device also makes it possible to produce fresh water, effect, the residual spraying water flows into an equipped tank a means of sampling. This method of producing fresh water has a drawback, however, because it is in fact provided a maximum water level in the tank, as well, when said level is reached the water supply is stopped, so that after a delay in the non-distribution of water, it will heats up.

Furthermore, for obvious reasons of hygiene, the parties in contact with chilled water should be regularly cleaned, now the fountain devices currently known do not allow an easy realization of an operation of cleaning, especially with regard to the heat exchanger in contact with water.

The object of the present invention is to propose a device for fountain for the production of chilled water from water packaged in lost bottle-type packaging, allowing remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.

The chilled water production fountain device from water packaged in lost packaging of the type bottle according to the invention is essentially characterized by what it includes a tray intended to receive a certain amount of water, which is refrigerated through a cooling system equipped with elements thermoelectric with Peltier effect, and including a heat exchanger cold and a hot exchanger.

Compared to existing fountain devices using a gas compression and expansion refrigeration system refrigerant, the Peltier cooling system is a small footprint, which allows to obtain a device of reduced size fountain, plus the noise level in operation is greatly reduced.

According to an additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, the hot exchanger consists of a profile comprising a body and fins made of thermally conductive metal and that forms the structure of the cooling system on which are attached the other components of said system cooling.

According to another additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, the body and the fins of the exchanger are oriented substantially vertically.

The orientation of the hot exchanger promotes the evacuation of calories produced by elements of the system cooling namely the thermoelectric elements, the transformer and rectifier of the supply current.

According to another additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, it includes a support above the tank removable intended to receive a returned bottle.

According to another additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, the support is provided with a sub-assembly removable comprising a perforator and a valve, the latter being open when said subset is associated with said support, and closed when separated.

According to a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, the cold exchanger of the cooling system at Peltier effect is directly in contact with water.

According to a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, the cold exchanger of the cooling system at Peltier effect is brought into contact with the tank, which is produced in a thermally conductive material.

According to an additional characteristic of this second mode of realization of the device according to the invention, the tank is removable.

According to an additional characteristic of this second mode of embodiment of the device according to the invention, it comprises laterally a tap able to be removed to allow the removal of the bin.

The advantages and characteristics of the device according to the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and which relates to the attached drawing, which represents several nonlimiting embodiments.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique en perspective et en éclaté d'une partie d'un dispositif de fontaine de production d'eau réfrigérée à partir d'une eau conditionnée en emballage perdu du type bouteille selon l'invention.
• la figure 2 représente une vue schématique en élévation et en éclaté avec coupe partielle d'un premier mode de réalisation du même dispositif.
• la figure 3 représente une vue schématique en coupe et en éclaté d'une partie de ce même premier mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention.
• la figure 4 représente une vue partielle en coupe selon un plan vertical d'un second mode de réalisation du même dispositif.
• la figure 5 représente une vue en plan d'une partie de ce second mode de réalisation du même dispositif ;
• la figure 6 est une représentation schématisée et partielle du robinet communiquant au travers d'un clapet d'obturation avec un bac susceptible de contenir de l'eau réfrigérée ;
• la figure 7 est une représentation similaire à la figure 6, le robinet étant retiré du corps de clapet.

In the attached drawing:

• FIG. 1 represents a schematic perspective and exploded view of part of a fountain device for producing chilled water from water packaged in lost packaging of the bottle type according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 represents a schematic elevation and exploded view with partial section of a first embodiment of the same device.
• 3 shows a schematic sectional and exploded view of a part of this same first embodiment of the device according to the invention.
• Figure 4 shows a partial sectional view along a vertical plane of a second embodiment of the same device.
• FIG. 5 represents a plan view of a part of this second embodiment of the same device;
• Figure 6 is a schematic and partial representation of the valve communicating through a shutter valve with a tank capable of containing chilled water;
• Figure 7 is a representation similar to Figure 6, the valve being removed from the valve body.

Referring to Figure 1, we can see a system 1 of Peltier cooling intended to equip a device fountain according to the invention. It includes a hot exchanger 10, a cold exchanger 11, thermoelectric elements 12, a fan 13, a transformer 14 and a rectifier 15.

The hot exchanger 10, which serves as a supporting structure for the other elements of the cooling system 1, includes a body 16 and fins 17 oriented substantially in the direction vertical to promote the evacuation of calories by natural convection, this evacuation being moreover accelerated by the fan 13 placed in the lower part of the hot exchanger 10.

The cooling system 1 constitutes a compact assembly space-saving and noise-free to operate except that of the fan 13.

If we now refer to Figure 2, we can see a first embodiment of the fountain device according to the invention. It comprises a body 2 in which is formed a tray 20 surrounded by an envelope 21 made of a heat-insulating material, and in which the cooling system is housed 1. We can see in particular the hot exchanger 10, the fan 13, the thermoelectric elements 12, and the cold exchanger 11 which extends inside the tank 20.

In this embodiment, the cold exchanger 11 consists of a plate without roughness to facilitate its cleaning, and which extends substantially over the entire height of the tank 20, at least over the entire height intended to be filled.

Water distribution is carried out through a conduit 22 provided with a tap 23 and connected to tank 20 in the lower part of it, preferably at the bottom 24, so that the drawing is made in the lower zone of the tank 20 less disrupted by renewal operations during a racking.

The body 2 is surmounted by a support element 3 disposed at the vertical of tray 20 and intended to receive a 4 head bottle at the bottom of which the neck 40 opens into the tank 20. The support 3 is removable to allow access to tray 20 for its cleaning, and also to be replaced by another suitable to another form of bottle 4.

If we also refer to Figure 3 which represents the support 3, we can see that it has a subset removable 30 comprising a perforator 31 and a valve 32.

The valve 30 is designed so that it is open when the sub-assembly 30 is associated with the support 3, and closed when separated from it.

Thus, when the bottle 4 is put in place, the sub-assembly 30 is placed in the support 3, and the perforator 31 pierces the cap 41 of the bottle 4 including the water which it contains flows into tank 20 until it reaches the level required.

When replacing bottle 4, it is removed from the support 3 while the sub-assembly 30 remains integral with the plug 41, the separation of the triggering sub-assembly 30 closing the valve 32, which allows manipulation of the bottle 4 in which there is always some water left. After overturning of the bottle 4, the sub-assembly 30 can be removed and replaced on the support 3.

If we now refer to Figure 4, we can see a second embodiment of the fountain device according to the invention. It comprises a body 5 in which is formed a housing 50 surrounded by an envelope 51 made of a material thermal insulation, as well as a cooling system 1, and it is surmounted by a removable support 6 intended to support a bottle 4 and equipped with a sub-assembly 60 similar to that of first embodiment, and comprising a perforator 61. In particular, it takes the form of a tip tubular beveled at its end so as to define a perforation tip 63 capable of easily perforating the cap 41 initially closing the neck 40 of the bottle 4.

In the housing 50 is placed a tray 52 made in a thermally conductive material, for example stainless steel, can be removed for cleaning.

The cold exchanger 11 of the cooling system 1 comes to the contact with tank 52 and allows it to cool down and the water it contains, contact can be maintained by springs not shown.

Water distribution is carried out through a tap 7 which, to allow removal of the tray 52, is suitable for be taken. For this purpose, the body 70 of the tap 7 is shaped cylindrical and it is intended to pass through the body 5, the envelope 51 and the wall of the tank 52 to immerse in it under water level N. It also includes means of retention 71 allowing, by a bayonet type system, to block it by making it perform a quarter turn, the opening 53 made in the body 5 being of the type of that shown in Figure 5.

Note, moreover and as visible in Figures 6 and 7, that the part 80, of tubular shape, of the body 70 of the tap 7, crossing the wall of the tank 52, can communicate with the volume internal of the latter through a shutter valve 81 to even to prevent the flow of water still contained in the tray 52 when dismantling this tap 7.

In particular, in the absence of the tap 7, the valve shutter 81 is maintained by means of elastic return 82, applied against a seat 83 provided in the valve body 84 made integral with the wall of the tank 52. Unlike when fitting this tap 7, its part 80 pushes said shutter valve 81 of the seat 83 against the action of the elastic return means 82, authorizing the flow of water.

The fountain device as described above is compact and allows easy cleaning of the elements which make up and are in contact with water.

Claims (11)

Chilled water production fountain device from water packaged in lost packaging of the type bottle, characterized in that it comprises a container (20; 52) intended to receive a certain amount of water, which is refrigerated through a cooling system (1) fitted with thermoelectric elements (12) with Peltier effect, and comprising a cold exchanger (11) and a hot exchanger (10). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hot exchanger consists of a profile comprising a body (16) and fins (17) of thermally conductive metal which forms the structure of the cooling system (1) on which are fixed the other components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of said cooling system (1). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the body (16) and the fins (17) of the hot exchanger (10) are oriented substantially vertically. Device according to any one of the claims previous, characterized in that it comprises above the tank (20; 52) a removable support (3; 6) intended to receive a bottle (4) returned. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the support (3; 6) is provided with a removable sub-assembly (30; 60) comprising at least one perforator (31; 61) capable of perforating the cap (41) initially closing the bottle (4). Device according to claim 5, characterized in that that the sub-assembly (30) also includes a valve (32), this e the latter being open when said subset (30; 60) is associated with said support (3; 6), and closed when separated from it Device according to any one of the claims previous characterized in that the cold exchanger (10) of the Peltier effect cooling system (1) is directly in contact with water. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cold exchanger (10) of the Peltier effect cooling (1) is brought into contact with the tank (52), which is made of a thermally conductive material. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the tray (52) is removable. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that that it laterally comprises a tap (7) able to be removed to allow removal of the tray (52). Device according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the tap (7) has a part (80) passing through the wall of the tank (52) and communicating with the internal volume of this last through a shutter valve (81) in the same to prevent the flow of water contained in said tank (52) when removing the tap (7).

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