초록 ▼

A vending or dispensing system for providing purified water in response to a customer request is described. The water dispensing system has a water reservoir or tank containing first stage purified water and is provided with a subsystem for circulating water from the reservoir through a microbial st

A vending or dispensing system for providing purified water in response to a customer request is described. The water dispensing system has a water reservoir or tank containing first stage purified water and is provided with a subsystem for circulating water from the reservoir through a microbial sterilizer on at least a periodic basis for a predetermined period of time to maintain water quality within the tank. In one aspect, the water is passed through the microbial sterilizer before entering the tank for the first time as first stage water. Additional features described to insure water purity include flushing or rinsing the lines between a first stage water purification mechanism and the water reservoir prior to topping off the reservoir with purified water, and providing control mechanisms for ensuring that sump liquid cannot be suctioned back into the system. The purification mechanism, of which there may be more than one, may include, but is not limited to, an activated carbon filter, an ion exchange resin bed, a reverse osmosis (RO) filter and the like. The microbial sterilizer may include such equipment as one or more or multi-stage ultraviolet (UV) sterilizers. In one embodiment, the entire system is operated by a microcontroller in response to user commands.

대표청구항 ▼

A water purifying and dispensing system comprising a service line for receiving water to be purified within the water dispensing system; a purification means having an inlet and an outlet, where the water to be purified enters the inlet from said service line and exits at the outlet as first stage p

A water purifying and dispensing system comprising a service line for receiving water to be purified within the water dispensing system; a purification means having an inlet and an outlet, where the water to be purified enters the inlet from said service line and exits at the outlet as first stage purified water over a supply line to a reservoir fill valve which controls entry of water from said supply line to a water reservoir; a microbial sterilizer circulation system comprising: a circulation pump for removing water from the water reservoir; a microbial sterilizer; and means for transmitting water from the circulation pump through the microbial sterilizer to the reservoir fill valve; and means for dispensing water from the reservoir by passing water through said microbial sterilizer to a dispenser valve.