Water dispensing device incorporating a device for cleaning reusable containers

Abstract

A foot-operated water dispensing device (10) is provided by means of a dispensing pedal (32) hydraulically connected to a water dispensing nozzle (82) through which water flows as long as the first pedal is pressed and which is intended to fill a container. The device includes a water inlet (99), means (62) for filtering the water delivered by the nozzle, and at least one water collection tray (70). According to the main feature, the device (10) includes a cleaning nozzle (81) adapted to eject water through at least one ejection orifice (83) as long as a cleaning pedal (31) is pressed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of drinking fountains or devices for the distribution of drinking water and relates in particular to a water distribution device incorporating a device for cleaning reusable containers. State of the art

[0002] There are water distribution devices that can be operated by a pedal, such as foot-operated drinking fountains like the one described in document FR 815 817.

[0003] In the more recent US patent 8,701,437, the dispensing device includes a foot-operated water dispenser connected to a mains water supply. The dispensed water is pre-filtered, and the device also includes a drain for wastewater disposal. These devices have the disadvantage of not providing a cleaning solution.

[0004] Following the 2021 anti-waste law, businesses are now prohibited from providing single-use plastic cups and, as a result, have had to equip themselves with reusable containers. Users must therefore rinse their containers between uses. However, it has been shown that the most widely adopted rinsing solution in businesses, in the absence of another, is often the sinks in communal restrooms or the sinks in shared kitchens.

[0005] However, washing dishes in the bathroom is strongly discouraged for hygiene reasons (studies show that containers rinsed in bathrooms come out with 80% bacteria, including 20% ​​fecal matter). Furthermore, cleaning in a sink or washbasin uses between 1 and 1.5 liters of water. Description of the invention

[0006] Therefore, the aim of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by providing a water distribution device that can be installed in break areas while offering a quick, efficient and hygienic cleaning solution for reusable containers and which consumes little water.

[0007] The object of the invention is a foot-operated water dispensing device using a pedal hydraulically connected to a water dispensing nozzle. Water flows from this nozzle as long as the pedal is pressed, and the nozzle is intended to fill a container. The device comprises a water inlet, means for filtering the water delivered by the nozzle, and at least one water collection tray. According to the main feature of the invention, the device includes a cleaning nozzle adapted to eject water from at least one orifice as long as a cleaning pedal is pressed.

[0008] According to advantageous but optional features of the invention, taken individually or in any technically permissible combination: The device comprises a first, substantially vertical opening adapted for inserting a container to be cleaned into a first niche and a second, substantially vertical opening adapted for inserting a container to be filled into a second niche. The first niche, accessible through the first opening, has a lower base located a few centimeters below the lower edge of the opening and a cleaning nozzle located on the lower base of the first niche. The collection tray comprises a deep, substantially flat-bottomed portion forming the lower base of the first niche and having an opening designed to house the cleaning nozzle in a watertight manner. The second niche, accessible through the second opening, has a lower base formed by a grid, located at the same level as the lower edge of the opening, said grid being equipped with a marker for positioning a container.The collection tray includes a shallow, sloping-bottomed section located below the grid. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cleaning nozzle has a cylindrical lower portion and an ogive-shaped upper portion, the ejection orifice being central and adapted to eject water vertically from bottom to top. The cleaning nozzle comprises three lateral ejection orifices located at the same height on the nozzle below the central ejection orifice, the angle between the vertical exit direction of the central orifice and the exit directions of the lateral orifices being between 60 and 75 degrees, and the angle between the exit direction of two adjacent lateral orifices being between 45 and 60 degrees, so that the water jets exiting the lateral orifices are directed towards the rear of the device and into the container to be cleaned.The three lateral orifices are not located at the same height on the nozzle below the central orifice, but at different heights. The angle between the vertical exit direction of the central orifice and the exit direction of the first lateral orifice is between 20 and 40 degrees, the angle between the vertical exit direction of the central orifice and the exit direction of the second lateral orifice is between 60 and 75 degrees, and the angle between the vertical exit direction of the central orifice and the exit direction of the third lateral orifice is 90 degrees. The ejection orifices of the cleaning nozzle have a diameter between 1 and 2 mm. The water distribution nozzle has an outlet diameter between 7 and 9 mm.The incoming water from the water inlet passes through a first open manual valve, then into a T-fitting which leads to two fluid circuits, each fluid circuit comprising at the inlet respectively a tap in the closed position by default, each tap being opened by the actuation of the respective pedals which include a water inlet and a water outlet, lowering the cleaning pedal allowing the opening of a valve to allow water to pass from the water inlet to the water outlet of said cleaning pedal, the first fluid circuit supplying water to the cleaning nozzle includes a non-return valve and lowering the distribution pedal allowing the opening of a valve to allow water to pass from the water inlet to the water outlet of the distribution pedal, the second fluid circuit supplying water to the distribution nozzle includes a microporous media filter called a micro-filter. Brief description of the figures

[0009] The aims, objects, and features of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, made with reference to the drawings in which: There [ Fig.1 ] represents a perspective view of the device according to the invention, The [ Fig. 2 ] represents a diagram of the fluidic circuit of the device according to the invention, The [ Fig.3 ] represents a perspective view of the receiving bin, The [ Fig. 4a ] represents a top view of the cleaning nozzle, The [ Fig. 4b ] represents a rear view of the cleaning nozzle, The [ Fig. 5 ] represents a cross-sectional view of a part of the device according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0010] The orientation of figures representing views is located using an orthogonal coordinate system comprising the X, Y and Z axes. As used in the following description, the terms "vertical", "top" and "bottom" are understood relative to the Z axis, the terms "left", "right", are understood relative to the X axis and the terms "front", "back" are understood relative to the Y axis.

[0011] According to the [ Fig.1The device 10 according to the invention is a drinking fountain suitable for installation in a business setting, for example, but can also be integrated into a kitchen unit or other structure. The front face of the device 10 comprises two openings 11 and 12 arranged in the upper part of the device, preferably vertical and side by side, each leading to a niche. The openings are large enough to allow the user to insert a hand holding a container. The device also includes two pedals 31 and 32 arranged in the lower part of the device so that they are located near the ground for foot operation.

[0012] In the first niche, accessible through the first opening 11 and having a lower base located a few centimeters lower (preferably between 4 and 8 cm) than the lower edge of the opening 11, the user can clean their container using a cleaning nozzle located on the lower base of the first niche and above a collection tray 70. In the second niche, accessible through the second opening 12, the user can fill their container with lukewarm water delivered by a dispensing nozzle located at the top of the upper part of the second niche of the device by placing their container on the lower base of the second niche, which is at the same level as the lower level of the opening 12. The lower base of the second niche is a horizontal grid 92, preferably made of stainless steel and equipped with a positioning mark for the container to be filled, located vertically above the dispensing nozzle.The indication of these cleaning and dispensing functions is made by indicative signs 13 and 14 near each opening, mentioning for example "cup cleaner" and "cup fountain" or mentioning an illustrated indicative symbol.

[0013] As can be seen on the [ Fig. 2The device 10 includes at least one water inlet 99, for example from a domestic or commercial water supply, to continuously provide the device with tempered water. The incoming water passes through a fluid circuit equipped with pipes and through a first manual valve 98, which is open and adapted to shut off the water supply when necessary. It then passes through a T-fitting that leads to two fluid circuits 21 and 22. Each fluid circuit 21 and 22 has, respectively, an inlet valve 41 and 42, which are initially closed by default. Each valve is opened by pressing a pedal that includes a water inlet and a water outlet. Lowering the pedal opens a check valve to allow water to flow from the inlet to the outlet.

[0014] At the water outlet of the first pedal 31, the first fluidic circuit 21 supplies water to a cleaning nozzle 81 and includes a non-return valve 51 to eliminate any risk of contamination of the water supply circuit. The cleaning nozzle 81, hydraulically connected to the pedal 31, delivers at least one vertical jet from bottom to top to clean a container presented upside down, i.e., with the opening of the container facing downwards.

[0015] At the water outlet of the second pedal 32, the second fluidic circuit 22 supplies water to a distribution nozzle 82 and includes a microporous media filter called a micro-filter 62. The distribution nozzle 82, hydraulically connected to the pedal 32, fills a container placed below by delivering a jet of water from top to bottom through an outlet with a diameter between 7 and 9 mm and preferably equal to 8 mm.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the water in the distribution circuit passes through an ultraviolet filter. This filter sterilizes the water by eliminating microorganisms and bacteria. The dispensing nozzle 82 can also be equipped with an ultraviolet filtration device just before dispensing, thus ensuring pure water. Ultraviolet filters require a power supply.

[0017] The device according to the invention comprises a collection tray 70 illustrated in the [ Fig.3[ ], comprising a first shallow section 72 with an inclined bottom and a second section 73 deeper than section 72 and with a substantially flat bottom but sloping slightly towards a drain hole 75 located at the lowest point of the tank. The drain hole 75 carries the collected water via a pipe to a drain 79 directing the wastewater to a direct discharge pipe connected to the device or to a collection tank provided for this purpose. The shallow section 72 with an inclined bottom of the tank is located under the grid 92, which is placed on the rim 74 of the left side of the tank 70. The second, deeper section 73 also includes an opening 71 designed to house the cleaning nozzle 81 in a watertight manner, and the open surface of the deeper section 73 of the tank is not covered.The water delivered by the nozzle 62 which is not collected by a container passes through the grid 92 before falling into the shallow part 72 of the tank 70 which flows into the deep part 73 of the tank 70. The tank 70 can be replaced by two independent tanks of the type a tank 72 with sloping bottom equipped with its own drainage hole and a tank of the type tank 73 with deep bottom.

[0018] The cleaning nozzle 81, illustrated in more detail on the figures 4a and 4bThe device, symmetrically shaped by revolution, has a cylindrical lower portion and an ogive-shaped upper portion and is used to eject water at high speed to clean and rinse the inside of containers. It has a central ejection orifice 83 at its pointed end and, between 2 and 3, and preferably three other lateral ejection orifices 84 located on the portion of the nozzle facing the rear of the device according to the invention. The central ejection orifice 83 discharges the cleaning water vertically upwards, and the lateral ejection orifices discharge the cleaning water in substantially different directions towards the rear of the device so as not to exit through the opening 11 while still maintaining good cleaning and rinsing efficiency.The three lateral orifices are preferably located at the same height on the nozzle below the central orifice, more precisely at a distance below the central orifice of between 3 and 7 mm and preferably at 5 mm. The ejection orifices 83 and 84 of the cleaning nozzle 81 have a diameter of between 1 and 2 mm in order to deliver a fine and rapid jet; the ejection speed is 4 to 16 times faster than the jet speed of the distribution nozzle 82, in order to be more efficient for cleaning while consuming little water.

[0019] The angle between the vertical exit direction of the central orifice 83 and the exit directions of the lateral orifices is between 60 and 75 degrees so that the water ejected from the lateral orifices directly reaches the side walls of the container to be cleaned while being directed upwards to minimize splashing on the walls of the first niche. The angle between the exit direction of two adjacent lateral orifices is between 45 and 60 degrees. This ensures that the water jets exiting the lateral orifices are directed towards the rear of the device, i.e., towards the part of the first niche located opposite its opening 11, so as not to splash the user. According to an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention, the three lateral orifices are not located at the same height on the nozzle below the central ejection orifice but at three different heights.According to this alternative, the three lateral orifices eject water in three different rinsing directions relative to the vertical direction. For example, the angle between the vertical exit direction of the central orifice 83 and the exit direction of the first lateral orifice located highest on the nozzle is between 20 and 40 degrees, the angle between the vertical exit direction of the central orifice 83 and the exit direction of the second lateral orifice is between 60 and 75 degrees, and the angle between the vertical exit direction of the central orifice 83 and the exit direction of the third lateral orifice located highest on the nozzle is 90 degrees.In this example, the closer the side orifice is to the tip and the smaller the angle of the jet direction is relative to the vertical so that the flow path in the nozzle leading to the ejection orifice is as perpendicular as possible to the nozzle surface at the orifice location in order to ensure the most powerful jet possible.

[0020] In the following description, the operation of the device of the invention is described and will be better understood with reference to the figures and in particular to the [ Fig. 5The user places their container 101 to be cleaned, such as a mug, cup, glass, or water bottle, upside down in the first compartment through the right-hand opening 11 of the container cleaning device according to the invention 10. The openings 11 and 13 have a vertical length of approximately 30 cm and are located at a height from the floor between 90 cm and 1 m so as to be at hand height for the user and so that the user can see inside the compartment at the bottom. The cleaning function is indicated by the indicator panel 13 and by the presence of the cleaning nozzle 81, the tip of which is visible through the opening 11.The user presents their container so that its opening is directed downwards and aligned vertically with the cleaning nozzle. In this position, the container covers the upper part of the nozzle, and because the opening 11 leads to a niche whose lower bottom is lower than the lower edge of the opening 11 thanks to the deep part 73 of the tray 70, the user can insert their container lower than the lower part of the opening 11. The user presses the right pedal 31, the tap 41 opens, and the water is directed in the fluidic circuit 21 towards the water inlet of the cleaning nozzle 81 and is ejected through the ejection orifices on the walls of the container. The water coming out of the container falls directly into the tray 70 and is directed towards the drain hole 75 and then towards the drain 79. This cleaning step is done without the container touching the walls of the first niche and the bottom of the tray.When a user wishes to fill a container 102, intuitively they present it in the left opening 12 of the device and place it on the grid 92 in the middle of the mark located on the grid, the grid being flush with the lower edge of the opening 12. The user presses the left pedal 32, the tap 42 opens and the water is directed in the fluidic circuit 21 towards the e 62 then towards the distribution nozzle 82 from where it exits in a vertical jet from top to bottom into the container.

[0021] The device according to the invention has many advantages: It only takes 2 centiliters of water and 2 seconds to rinse a coffee cup.

[0022] The device according to the invention offers a contactless cleaning solution suitable for all types and sizes of reusable containers: water bottles, mugs, cups, glasses, carafes.

[0023] The device according to the invention, in its main embodiment, can be manufactured using recyclable materials, requires no electricity, and does not release detergent. It is a universal, low-tech, and decarbonizing solution that integrates into companies' CSR policies and provides a concrete solution to the ban on single-use plastic containers.

[0024] The device according to the invention meets the requirements of the AGEC law (anti-waste law for a circular economy) for the filling and cleaning of water bottles and also the hygiene standards which recommend frequent rinsing of reusable containers.

Claims

1. Foot-operated water distribution device (10) by means of a distribution pedal (32) hydraulically connected to a water distribution nozzle (82) through which water flows as long as said first pedal is operated and intended to fill a container, said device comprising a water inlet (99), means (62) for filtering the water delivered by the nozzle, and at least one water recovery tray (70), Characterized in that the device (10) includes a cleaning nozzle (81) adapted to eject water through at least one ejection orifice (83) as long as a cleaning pedal (31) is actuated and in thatThe incoming water through the water inlet (99) passes through a first open manual valve (98), then into a T-fitting which leads to two fluid circuits (21) and (22). Each fluid circuit (21) and (22) has at its inlet, respectively, a tap (41) and (42) in the closed position by default. Each tap is opened by the actuation of the respective pedals (31) and (32), which have a water inlet and a water outlet. Lowering the cleaning pedal (31) opens a valve to allow water to flow from the inlet to the outlet of said cleaning pedal (31). The first fluid circuit (21) supplies water to the cleaning nozzle (81), and lowering the dispensing pedal (32) opens a valve to allow water to flow from the inlet to the outlet of the pedal. distribution (32),The second fluidic circuit (22) for supplying water to the distribution nozzle (82) includes a microporous media filter called a micro-filter (62).

2. Device according to claim 1, comprising a first substantially vertical opening (11) adapted for introducing a container (101) to be cleaned into a first niche and a second substantially vertical opening (12) adapted for introducing a container (102) to be filled into a second niche.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the first niche accessible through the first opening (11) has a lower bottom located a few centimeters lower than the lower edge of the opening (11) and a cleaning nozzle (81) located on the lower bottom of the first niche.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the recovery tray (70) includes a deep part (73) with a substantially flat bottom forming the lower bottom of the first niche and having an orifice (71) designed to house the cleaning nozzle (81) in a sealed manner.

5. Device according to claim 2, 3 or 3, wherein the second niche accessible through the second opening (12) has a lower bottom materialized by a grid (92), located at the same level as the lower edge of the opening (12), said grid being provided with a positioning mark for a container (102).

6. Device according to claim 4, wherein the recovery tray (70) comprises a shallow part (72) with an inclined bottom located under the grid (92).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cleaning nozzle (81) has a lower part of cylindrical shape and an upper part of ogive shape, the ejection orifice (83) is central and adapted to eject water vertically from bottom to top.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the cleaning nozzle (81) comprises three lateral ejection orifices (84) located at the same height on the nozzle below the central orifice, the angle between the vertical exit direction of the central orifice (83) and the exit directions of the lateral orifices (84) being between 60 and 75 degrees, and the angle between the exit direction of two lateral orifices (84) located side by side being between 45 and 60 degrees, so that the water jets exiting the lateral orifices are directed towards the rear of the device, and into the container to be cleaned.

9. Device according to claim 7, wherein the three lateral orifices are not located at the same height on the nozzle below the central orifice but at different heights and wherein the angle between the vertical exit direction of the central orifice (83) and the exit direction of the first lateral orifice (84) is between 20 and 40 degrees, the angle between the vertical exit direction of the central orifice (83) and the exit direction of the second lateral orifice (84) is between 60 and 75 degrees and the angle between the vertical exit direction of the central orifice (83) and the exit direction of the third lateral orifice (84) is 90 degrees.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the ejection orifices (83, 84) of the cleaning nozzle (81) have a diameter between 1 and 2 mm.

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the water distribution nozzle (82) has an outlet diameter between 7 and 9 mm.

12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first fluidic circuit includes a non-return valve (51).

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