Water dispensing system 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. The device 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. (See Figure 1 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Water dispensing device incorporating a device for cleaning reusable containers

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

[0002] There are water distribution devices that can be operated by means of 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, the device being connected to a mains water supply, the dispensed water being pre-filtered, and the device also including a drain for wastewater disposal. These devices have the disadvantage of not providing a cleaning solution.

[0004] Following the 2021 anti-waste law, companies 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 companies, in the absence of another, is often the washbasins 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 the bathroom come out with 80% bacteria, including 20% ​​fecal matter). Furthermore, cleaning in a sink or washbasin consumes 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 therefore a foot-operated water dispensing device using a pedal hydraulically connected to a water dispensing nozzle through which water flows as long as the pedal is pressed and which 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 through at least one orifice as long as a cleaning pedal is activated.

[0008] According to advantageous but optional features of the invention, taken individually or in any technically permissible combination: - the device includes a first substantially vertical opening adapted for introducing a container to be cleaned into a first niche and a second substantially vertical opening adapted for introducing a container to be filled into a second niche. - the first niche accessible through the first opening has a lower bottom located a few centimeters lower than the lower edge of the opening and a cleaning nozzle located on the lower bottom of the first niche. - the collection tray includes a deep part with a substantially flat bottom forming the lower bottom 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 bottom materialized by a grid, located at the same level as the lower edge of the opening, said grid being equipped with a positioning marker for a container. - the collection tray includes a shallow section with an sloping bottom located under the grid. - The cleaning nozzle has a cylindrical lower part and an ogive-shaped upper part; the ejection orifice is central and adapted to eject water vertically from bottom to top. - the cleaning nozzle includes three lateral ejection ports located at the same height on the nozzle below the central ejection port, the angle between the vertical exit direction of the central port and the exit directions of the lateral ports being between 60 and 75 degrees, and the angle between the exit direction of two lateral ports located side by side being between 45 and 60 degrees, so that the water jets exiting the lateral ports 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, and 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 angle between the vertical direction of the central orifice's exit and the direction of the exits from 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 through 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 goes into the open position 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 the water to pass from the water inlet to the water outlet of said cleaning pedal, the first fluid circuit allowing the supply of water to the cleaning nozzle includes a non-return valve and lowering the distribution pedal allowing the opening of a valve to allow the water to pass from the water inlet to the water outlet of the distribution pedal, the second fluid circuit allowing the supply of 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:

[0010] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the device according to the invention,

[0011] Figure 2 shows a diagram of the fluidic circuit of the device according to the invention,

[0012] Figure [Fig. 3] represents a perspective view of the receiving tray,

[0013] Figure [Fig. 4a] shows a top view of the cleaning nozzle,

[0014] Figure 4b shows a rear view of the cleaning nozzle,

[0015] Fig. 5 represents a cross-sectional view of part of the device according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0016] The orientation of the 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.

[0017] According to [Fig. 1], the device 10 according to the invention is presented as a drinking fountain adapted for installation within a company, for example, but can It can also be integrated into a kitchen unit or other structure. The front face of the device 10 includes two openings 11 and 12 arranged in the upper part of the device, preferably vertical and side by side, each leading into 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 floor for foot operation.

[0018] 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 temperate water delivered by a dispensing nozzle located at the top in the upper part of the second niche of the device by placing their container on the lower base of the second niche located 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.

[0019] As can be seen in [Fig. 2], the device 10 includes at least one water inlet 99, for example from a domestic or commercial water supply, so as to continuously supply 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, then through a T-fitting that leads to two fluid circuits 21 and 22. Each fluid circuit 21, 22 includes at its inlet, respectively, a tap 41, 42, which is initially closed by default. Each tap is opened by actuating a pedal that includes a water inlet and a water outlet; lowering the actuating pedal opens a check valve to allow water to flow from the inlet to the outlet.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] The device according to the invention comprises a collection tray 70 illustrated in [Fig. 3], having a first shallow portion 72 with an inclined bottom and a second portion 73 that is deeper than portion 72 and has a substantially flat bottom but slopes slightly towards a drainage hole 75 located at the lowest point of the tray. The drainage hole 75 carries the collected water via a pipe to a drain 79 directing the wastewater to a direct drainage pipe connected to the device or to a collection tray provided for this purpose. The shallow portion 72 with an inclined bottom of the tray is located under the grid 92, which is placed on the rim 74 of the left-hand portion of the tray 70. The second, deeper portion 73 also includes an opening 71 designed to house the cleaning nozzle 81 in a watertight manner, and the open surface of the deeper portion 73 of the tray is not covered.The water delivered by the nozzle 62 that 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 an inclined bottom equipped with its own drainage hole and a tank of the type tank 73 with a deep bottom.

[0024] The cleaning nozzle 81, illustrated in more detail in Figures 4a and 4b, is symmetrically shaped of revolution, has a cylindrical lower portion and an ogive-shaped upper portion, and serves 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, preferably, three other lateral ejection orifices 84 between 2 and 3, 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 providing good cleaning and rinsing efficiency. The three lateral orifices are preferably located at the same height on the nozzle below the central orifice, plus 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.

[0025] 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 side-by-side 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, thus ensuring the most powerful jet possible.

[0026] 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 [Fig. 5]. The user places their container 101 to be cleaned, such as a mug, cup, glass, or water bottle, upside down in the first niche through the right-hand opening 11 of the container cleaning device 10 according to the invention. The openings 11 and 13 have a vertical length of approximately 30 cm and are located at a height from the ground of between 90 cm and 1 m so as to be at the height of a user's hands and so that the user can see inside towards the bottom of the niche. The cleaning function is indicated by the indicator panel 13 and by the presence of the nozzle. The cleaning nozzle 81 has its tip visible through opening 11. The user positions their container so that its opening faces downwards and is vertically aligned with the cleaning nozzle. In this position, the container covers the upper part of the nozzle. Because opening 11 leads to a recess whose bottom is lower than the lower edge of opening 11, thanks to the deep section 73 of the tray 70, the user can insert their container below the bottom of opening 11. The user presses the right-hand pedal 31, opening the valve 41. Water is directed through the fluid circuit 21 to the water inlet of the cleaning nozzle 81 and is ejected through the ejection holes on the container walls. The water exiting the container falls directly into the tray 70 and is directed to the drain hole 75 and then to the drain 79.This cleaning step is carried out without the container touching the walls of the first niche or the bottom of the tray. When a user wishes to fill a container 102, they intuitively place it in the left opening 12 of the device and position 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 through the fluidic circuit 21 to the filter 62 and then to the dispensing nozzle 82 from where it exits in a vertical jet from top to bottom into the container.

[0027] The device according to the invention has many advantages: It only takes 2 centiliters of water and 2 seconds to rinse a coffee cup.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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

Demands

1. Foot-operated water dispensing device (10) by means of a dispensing pedal (32) hydraulically connected to a water dispensing nozzle (82) through which water flows as long as said first pedal is actuated 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) comprises a cleaning nozzle (81) adapted to eject water through at least one ejection orifice (83) as long as a cleaning pedal (31) is actuated.

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 4, 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 5, wherein the recovery tray (70) includes a shallow part (72) with an oblique bottom located under the grid (92).

7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cleaning nozzle (81) has a cylindrical lower portion and an upper part in the shape of an ogive, 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 of between 7 and 9 mm.

12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the water entering through the water inlet (99) passes through a first open manual valve (98), then into a T-fitting which opens into two fluid circuits (21) and (22), each fluid circuit (21) and (22) comprising at its inlet respectively a tap (41), (42) in the closed position by default, each tap being opened by the actuation of the respective pedals (31), (32) which comprise a water inlet and a water outlet, lowering the cleaning pedal (31) allowing the opening of a valve to allow water to pass from the water inlet to the water outlet of said cleaning pedal (31) the first fluidic circuit (21) supplying water to the cleaning nozzle (81) includes a non-return valve (51) and the lowering of the distribution pedal (32) allowing the opening of a valve to allow water to pass from the water inlet to the water outlet of the distribution pedal (32), the second fluidic circuit (22) supplying water to the distribution nozzle (82) includes a microporous media filter called a micro-filter (62).