Water cooler abstract
An oxygenated water cooler and method of operating the same for
dispensing oxygen enriched water from a water bottle installed on
the cooler. An pressurized gas source integrated into the cooler
delivers pressurized gas through the water to a headspace above
the water in the water bottle to maintain the dissolved oxygen content
of water in the water bottle preferably above about 15 mg/liter,
but optimally above about 40 mg/liter.
Water cooler claims
We claim:
1. A water cooler comprising:
a water tank for receiving water from a water bottle;
a system for dispensing water from the water tank;
a refrigeration source for cooling water in the water tank;
a pressurized gas source providing pressurized gas; and
a system for introducing the pressurized gas from the pressurized
gas source to increase the dissolved oxygen content in the water.
2. The water cooler according to claim 1 wherein the pressurized
gas is air.
3. The water cooler according to claim 1 wherein the pressurized
gas is oxygen.
4. The water cooler according to claim 1 further including a conduit
carrying the pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source to
a water outlet pipe connection to increase the dissolved oxygen
content in the water.
5. A water cooler comprising:
a water tank for receiving water from a water bottle containing
water having a dissolved oxygen content at a supersaturated level;
a system for dispensing water from the water tank;
a refrigeration source for cooling water in the water tank;
a pressurized gas source providing pressurized gas; and
a system for introducing the pressurized gas from the pressurized
gas source to maintain the dissolved oxygen content of the water
in the water bottle at a supersaturated level.
6. The water cooler according to claim 5 wherein the water tank
further includes a water tank lid for supporting the water bottle
and for sealing water and oxygen in the water tank.
7. The water cooler according to claim 5 wherein the pressurized
gas source comprises a gas compressor.
8. The water cooler according to claim 7 wherein the gas compressor
is an air compressor.
9. The water cooler according to claim 5 wherein the pressurized
gas source comprises a pressurized tank of gas.
10. The water cooler according to claim 5 wherein the pressurized
gas source comprises a non-toxic gas.
11. The water cooler according to claim 5 wherein the pressurized
gas source further includes a control system for maintaining air
pressure in the headspace at a predetermined level above an atmospheric
pressure.
12. The water cooler according to claim 5 wherein the pressurized
gas source comprises:
a compressor for producing pressurized air;
a pressure tank for storing the pressurized air produced by the
compressor; and
a control system for controlling the operation of the gas source
and for maintaining pressure in the headspace at a constant pressure
level above atomospheric pressure.
13. The water cooler according to claim 12 wherein the control
system further includes a pressure switch for actuating the pressure
source in response to a predetermined reduction of pressure within
the pressure tank.
14. An apparatus comprising:
a water bottle containing water having a dissolved oxygen content
at a supersaturated level;
a system for dispensing water from the water bottle; and
a system for introducing pressurized gas to a headspace above the
water in the water bottle as water is dispensed by the dispensing
system to maintain the dissolved oxygen content of the water at
a supersaturated level.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the dispensing
system comprises a water cooler.
16. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the system for
introducing pressurized gas includes an air compressor for suppling
the pressurized gas.
17. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the system for
introducing pressurized gas includes bottled gas for supplying the
pressurized gas.
Water cooler description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the art of coolers for dispensing
fluids such as drinking water, and more particularly to a new and
improved water cooler for dispensing oxygen enriched water.
Oxygen enriched drinking water has an enhanced taste appeal and
offers the health and fitness conscious consumer an alternative
and supplemental source of oxygen that is absorbed through the stomach.
The term drinking water is intended to include, without limitation,
spring water, filtered water, water treated by the reverse osmosis
process, etc.
The dissolved oxygen content of natural pure spring water ranges
from between about 5 mg/liter to 9 mg/liter depending on the source
of the water, purification and processing techniques applied prior
to bottling, and other factors. The water can be supersaturated
with oxygen by injecting molecular oxygen into a water pipeline
controlled at a pressure of 40-90 PSIG (pounds per square inch gage),
or using other known methods. Using this technique, the dissolved
oxygen level of the water can be increased to about 80 mg/liter.
If bottled immediately in hermetically sealed bulk glass bottles
or other suitable containers, the water will maintain the elevated
dissolved oxygen level indefinitely.
Bulk water bottles typically are in the 3-5 gallon range. Upon
opening a bulk water bottle containing water that is supersaturated
with oxygen, and installing the water bottle on a standard water
cooler, the dissolved oxygen in the water decreases to near the
baseline level of about 5-9 mg/liter within about 3-5 days. Since
the average time required to consume a 3-5 gallon bulk water bottle
typically is in the 10-14 day range, the rapid decrease in dissolved
oxygen prevents the commercial marketing of oxygen enriched drinking
water in 3-5 gallon bulk bottles for use on standard water coolers.
It would, therefore, be highly desirable to provide a new and improved
water cooler for dispensing oxygen enriched water wherein the dissolved
oxygen content of water in the water bottle installed on the water
cooler is maintained above about 50% of the original supersaturated
level during the entire time water is dispensed from the water bottle
by the cooler, i.e., during the entire usage cycle of the water
bottle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a new and improved water cooler
and method of operating the same for dispensing oxygen enriched
water from a water bottle installed on the cooler, the water having
a dissolved oxygen content maintained optimally above about 50%
of a supersaturated level previously established during bottling
of the water. The supersaturated level established during bottling
of the water is preferably about 80 mg/liter. Over the usage cycle
of the bottled water, the dissolved oxygen content is maintained
preferably above about 15 mg/liter, but optimally above about 40
mg/liter. A pressurized gas source combined with the water cooler
delivers a gas through the water to a headspace in the water bottle
above the water to maintain the dissolved oxygen content of water
in the water bottle substantially above about 50% of the original
supersaturated level during the entire time water is dispensed from
the water bottle by the cooler. Without the pressurized gas, the
oxygen content level would fall to about 5-9 mg/liter during the
usage cycle of the water. The pressurized gas source preferably
comprises a compressor mounted in the water cooler for providing
pressurized air. Alternatively, the pressurized gas source can be
of various other forms including stored air or gas in bottles. The
gas can be other non-toxic gasses such as nitrogen, oxygen, etc.
Other features are included in the oxygenated water cooler to improve
the operation and functionality of the water cooler. For instance,
the water cooler of the present invention may include a control
system including, for example, a pressure regulator and a pressure
switch for automatically maintaining a desired gas pressure level
in the headspace of the water bottle.
Alternatively, a water bottle may be placed on the cooler which
has not been oxygen enriched. The oxygen may be added by, for example,
injecting oxygen into the water just prior to exiting the spout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and additional advantages and characterizing features
of the present invention will become clearly apparent upon a reading
of the ensuing detailed description together with the included drawings
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an oxygenated water cooler in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
and
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a control system for providing
pressurized gas in the water cooler according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As illustrated in FIG. 1 a water cooler 10 according to a first
embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus which
maintains a pressure above atomospheric pressure in a headspace
26 in an inverted water bottle 14. The headspace 26 is located above
the water 38 in the inverted water bottle 14 installed on the water
cooler 10. The pressure in the headspace 26 is preferably above
about 2 PSIG, but optimally above about 4 PSIG. The water bottle
14 typically is a five gallon bottle, but smaller size bottles can
be employed. The water 38 in the water bottle 14 previously has
been supersaturated with oxygen at a water purification and bottling
plant or other source immediately prior to filling into the water
bottle 14. The supersaturated oxygen level is about 80 mg/liter
immediately after the water bottle 14 is filled at the bottling
plant. Without pressurizing the headspace 26 with a gas, the level
of oxygen in water in a standard prior art water cooler will drop
to about 10 mg/liter within 3 to 5 days. In the present invention,
the pressurized headspace 26 maintains the supersaturated oxygen
level preferably above about 15 mg/liter, but optimally above about
40 mg/liter during the entire time that water 38 is dispensed from
the water cooler 10.
The water cooler 10 according to a first embodiment of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 1 and includes, briefly, a housing or
enclosure 12 for receiving a water bottle 14 which is inverted and
installed on housing 12 a water tank 16 within the housing 12 for
receiving water from the water bottle 14 a refrigeration source
18 for cooling water in the water tank 16 a spigot 20 for dispensing
water from the water tank 16 a pressurized gas source 22 preferably
in the form of a compressor 40 within the housing 12 and means
24 for introducing pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source
22 through the water 38 in the water bottle 14 to the headspace
26 in the water bottle 14.
Considering the apparatus of FIG. 1 in more detail, the housing
12 preferably is of molded fiberglass construction but ultimately
can be of other suitable materials such as wood or metal. The water
bottle 14 is installed in the water cooler 10 by being placed in
an inverted position on top of the cooler housing 12. The bottle
cap 42 is pushed open and seals around a feed probe 106 which is
attached to the top of the water tank 16. The water tank 16 is preferably
constructed of stainless steel and has a cylindrical two piece design.
The water tank lid 32 is removable to allow for cleaning and maintenance.
A food grade gasket (not shown) seals the water tank lid 32 lid
to the top of the water tank 16. The water tank lid 32 is held firmly
fixed to the water tank 16 body with four locking clamps (not shown).
The water tank 16 includes a tubing connection 24 (e.g., 1/8"
tubing) in the sidewall for the supply of pressurized gas and a
water outlet pipe connection 34 in the bottom. Alternatively, the
tubing connection 24 can be located in the water tank lid 32. The
water outlet pipe connection 34 is piped directly to the spigot
20. In this manner, the water bottle 14 feed probe 106 and water
tank 16 form a single vessel that is pressurized at about 4 PSIG
with pressurized gas supplied to the tubing connection 24 via conduit
36 from the pressurized gas source 22. As the oxygenated water is
drawn from the water bottle 14 through the spigot 20 make-up gas
flows into the water tank 16 and to the headspace 26 of the water
bottle 14 from the pressurized gas source 22 thereby maintaining
a positive pressure within the water bottle 14. The water in the
water tank 16 and water bottle 14 thus serves as a conduit for transferring
pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source 22 to the headspace
26 of the water bottle 14.
The pressurized gas source 22 is preferably in the form of a compressor
40 installed in the water cooler fiberglass enclosure 12. The pressurized
gas source 22 may alternately comprise a pressurized gas cylinder.
In either case, air is preferably delivered to the water tank 16
at a regulated pressure preferrably above about 2 PSIG, but optimally
above about 4 PSIG. The pressurized gas source 22 may alternately
provide a pressurized gas such as nitrogen, oxygen, etc.
The water tank 16 may be equipped with a refrigeration system 18
for maintaining the water dispensing temperature at or below about
50 F. The refrigeration system 18 may comprise a refrigerant compressor,
condenser, and cooling coil, a thermoelectric device, or other refrigeration
system. The water bottle 14 typically is 5 gallons in size and may
be fabricated of either glass, a plastic resin (e.g., polycarbonate),
or other suitable material that will contain the gas pressure. Regardless
of material, the water bottle dimensions are generally similar.
Thus, the present invention integrates a pressurized gas source
22 into a water cooler 10 to maintain previously oxygenated water
in bulk water bottles (e.g., 3-5 gallon) in a supersaturated state.
The supersaturated state is maintained by controlling the gas pressure
in the water bottle 14 headspace 26 at elevated levels throughout
the usage cycle of the water bottle 14. In the present invention,
the pressurized headspace 26 maintains the supersaturated oxygen
level preferably above about 15 mg/liter, but optimally above about
40 mg/liter.
FIG. 2 illustrates a diagrammatic view of a control system 50 for
providing pressurized gas to maintain a supersaturated oxygen level
in the water 38 according to the present invention. Air enters an
inlet conduit 52 and passes through a biofilter 54. The biofilter
54 purifies the air by removing bacteria from the air. From biofilter
54 the air passes through a conduit 56 and enters an inlet 60 of
the compressor 40. A power supply 58 provides power to the compressor
40. The compressor 40 pressurizes the air from atmospheric pressure
to about 23 PSIG. Sound deadening material (not shown), can surround
the compressor 40 to eliminate noise caused by the compressor 40.
A conduit 62 connects an outlet 64 of the compressor 40 to a check
valve 66. A conduit 68 connects the conduit 62 with a flow restrictor
70. An outlet 72 of the flow restrictor 70 is open to the atmosphere.
The flow restrictor 70 includes an orifice of about 0.010 inches
in diameter. The flow restrictor 70 allows the compressed air in
the conduit 62 to reduce to atmospheric pressure when the compressor
40 is turned off. A conduit 74 connects the check valve 66 with
a coalescing filter 76. The check valve 66 allows pressurized air
to flow from the compressor 40 to a pressure tank 350 and prevents
pressurized gas from flowing from the pressure tank 350 back towards
the compressor 40. The coalescing filter 76 removes moisture and
particles from the air. A conduit 78 connects the coalescing filter
76 with an inlet 80 of the pressure tank 350.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
pressure tank 350 stores pressurized air at a pressure of about
23 PSIG. A conduit 84 connects an outlet 82 of the pressure tank
350 with a pressure switch 86. The pressure switch 86 is connected
by an electrical signal cable 88 to the power supply 58 of the compressor
40. Signals to turn the compressor 40 on and off are sent through
the electrical signal cable 88. The pressure switch 86 causes the
compressor 40 to be turned on when the pressure in the pressure
tank 350 falls to about 20 PSIG, and causes the compressor 40 to
be turned off when the pressure in the pressure tank 350 reaches
about 23 PSIG.
A conduit 352 connects the pressure switch 86 with a control valve
354. The control valve 354 is opened whenever power 378 is applied
to the control valve 50. With control valve 354 opened, pressurized
air can flow from the pressure tank 350 to the water tank 16. A
conduit 356 connects the control valve 354 with a biofilter 358.
The biofilter 358 filters bacteria from the air flowing toward
the water tank 16. A conduit 370 connects the biofilter with a pressure
regulator 90. The pressure regulator 90 maintains the pressure at
about 4 PSIG in the water tank 16 and in the headspace 26. A conduit
360 connects the pressure regulator 90 with a pressure relief valve
362. The pressure relief valve 362 ensures that the air pressure
in the water tank 16 and the headspace 26 does not exceed about
4 PSIG. A conduit 364 connects the pressure relief valve 362 with
a check valve 366. The check valve 366 allows air to flow from the
pressure tank 350 towards the water tank 16 and prevents air from
flowing from the water tank 16 towards the pressure tank 350. The
conduit 36 connects the check valve 366 with the water tank 16
allowing pressurized air to flow into the water tank 16.
Thus, as oxygenated water is drawn from the water bottle 14 through
the spigot 20 pressurized make-up air flows into the water tank
16 through the probe 106 and water 38 into the headspace 26 of
the water bottle 16. The control system 50 provides the pressurized
air to the water tank 16.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the water 38 in
the water bottle 14 is not previously supersaturated with oxygen.
As illustrated in FIG. 1 the water bottle 14 is installed on the
water cooler 10 and a pressurized gas (e.g., air, oxygen) is preferably
delivered to the water tank 16 from the pressurized gas source 22.
The control system 50 maintains a pressure in the water tank 16
and in the headspace 26 of the water bottle 14 at a regulated pressure
preferably above about 2 PSIG, but optimally above about 4 PSIG.
The pressurized gas passing through the water 38 to the headspace
26 increases the dissolved oxygen content in the water. Furthermore,
the pressure of the gas in the water tank 16 and the headspace 26
results in the water 38 being projected in a jet 100 from the spigot
20. A cup 102 receives this jet 100 and the water strikes the bottom
104 of the cup 102 with a force causing agitation of the water 38.
The agitation of the water 38 creates further oxygenation of the
water 38 in the cup 102 before a person drinks the water 38.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the water 38 in
the water bottle 14 is not previously supersaturated with oxygen.
As illustrated in FIG. 1 the water bottle 14 is installed on the
water cooler 10 and a pressurized gas (e.g., air, oxygen) is preferably
delivered to the water tank 16 from the pressurized gas source 22.
Additionally or alternatively, the pressurized gas may be delivered
by a conduit 35 (shown in phantom) to the water outlet pipe connection
34 as illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, oxygen may be added to
the water just prior to the spigot 20 without the need for keeping
the water in the tank 16 or water bottle 14 oxygenated. The control
system 50 maintains a pressure in the water tank 16 and in the headspace
26 of the water bottle 14 at a regulated pressure preferably above
about 2 PSIG, but optimally above about 4 PSIG. The pressurized
gas passing through the water 38 to the headspace 26 increases
the dissolved oxygen content in the water. The dissolved oxygen
content in the water is further increased by the atomization and
mixing action caused by the pressurized gas injecting into the water
in the water outlet pipe connection 34. Furthermore, the pressure
of the gas in the water tank 16 and the headspace 26 results in
the water 38 being projected in a jet 100 from the spigot 20. A
cup 102 receives this jet 100 and the water strikes the bottom
104 of the cup 102 with a force causing agitation of the water 38.
The agitation of the water 38 creates further oxygenation of the
water 38 in the cup 102 before a person drinks the water 38.
The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended
to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed,
and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the
above teaching. For example, the pressurized gas provided to the
headspace 26 is not limited to air but can be any non-toxic gas
such as nitrogen. Alternately, the pressurized gas can be provided
from pressurized gas in a gas cylinder or from an external pressurized
gas line or source. Furthermore, the pressurized gas supplied to
the headspace 26 is preferably above about 2 PSIG, but optimally
above about 4 PSIG, however, the pressure can be as high as the
water bottle can safely contain. Such modifications and variations
that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended
to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by
the accompanying claims. |