Slender spout for a multifunction fluid dispenser

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing a water-based beverage. The apparatus has a number of pipes running within an elongate housing, each pipe having a cross-sectional area. An outlet portion is disposed at a terminus of the elongate housing to allow exit of beverage from each of the pipes. First and second pipes are merged to provide a merged flow path. The cross-sectional area of the merged flow path is less than the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the first and second pipes. The apparatus may also include means for venting a headspace in a boiler tank.

Description

[0001] IRN20105098

[0002] SLENDER SPOUT FOR A MULTIFUNCTION FLUID DISPENSER

[0003] FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure is directed generally to apparatus for dispensing fluids of varying characteristics, such as potable water that is chilled, heated, boiled, carbonated, flavoured, or unmodified. Such apparatus may be embodied in the form of a unitary apparatus including, but not exclusively, on-bench, under-bench or freestanding units.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] The prior art provides a range of dispensing apparatus for use in the home and office capable of delivering water for drinking, cooking and cleaning. A basic form comprises a spout connected to mains water, a domestic hot water system, and a chilled water supply. The mains water and heated water may be mixed in varying proportions to provide warm water for cleaning or washing dishes. The chilled water is used for drinking. An aerator may be disposed at the spout outlet. The spout is typically mounted adjacent to a sink, with the outlet directed downwardly toward the sink floor.

[0007] In some forms, a boiler tank supplies boiling water for dispensing through the spout for coffee and tea-making. Typically, the boiler tank is vented through a pipe running within the spout such that hot air and water vapour can be safely expelled through the spout and into the sink.

[0008] In other forms a carbonator provides sparkling water through the same spout. Some apparatus are even configured to mix a concentrate with water such that the spout dispenses a flavoured beverage.

[0009] A problem with multifunctional apparatus such as that described above is that the spout must be dimensioned to accommodate the various flow paths of the various types of water provided. For example, the spout may be required accommodate a dedicated pipe for each of chilled water, boiling water and a vent, whilst also being capable of dispensing mains water at various temperatures. The pipes must have sufficient cross-sectional area to provide a required flow rate, and when running side-by-side through the spout necessitate a spout having considerable width. An additional or alternative problem is that the spout outlet may need to be widened or flared to accommodate the termini of multiple pipes. Such widening and flaring creates bulk IRN20105098 in the spout. Any bulk increases the amount of materials used in fabrication and also the probability of the spout being impacted by items being moved into or out of the sink.

[0010] Reference is made to the prior art Zip Hydrotap “All in One” model (Zip Water, Australia, product code U45807) capable of dispensing boiling, chilled, sparkling, and hot / cold mains water. The multifunctionality of that product necessitates a widened region about the spout outlet to allow for termination of the various pipes running through the spout.

[0011] There is a need for an improved or an alternative multifunctional water dispensing apparatus, which the present disclosure seeks, in some embodiments, to address.

[0012] The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present disclosure. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

[0013] SUMMARY

[0014] In one aspect, but not necessarily the broadest aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for dispensing a fluid and optionally venting a volume integrated or associated with the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of conduits running within an elongate housing, each conduit defining a fluid flow path having a cross-sectional area; and an outlet portion disposed at or toward a terminus of the elongate housing and configured to allow passage of a fluid from each of the plurality of conduits to an environment external to the apparatus; wherein the fluid flow path of a first conduit of the plurality of conduits is merged with the fluid flow path of a second conduit of the plurality of conduits to provide a merged fluid flow path having a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area of the merged fluid flow path being less than the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the first and second fluid flow paths.

[0015] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the merged fluid flow path is less than about 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, or 50% the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the first and second fluid flow paths. IRN20105098

[0016] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the merged fluid flow path is about the same as, or within about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, or 25%, that of the first and / or the second flow path.

[0017] In one embodiment, a fluid of the merged fluid flow path is conducted toward the environment external to the apparatus by way of an outlet conduit, an internal dimension of the outlet conduit defining the cross-sectional area of the merged fluid flow path.

[0018] In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a two-into-one connector, the first and second conduits each directing a fluid into the connector, the output of the connector directing fluid from the first and second conduits toward or through the outlet portion.

[0019] In one embodiment, fluids conducted by the first and second conduits are not normally dispensed contemporaneously, or the apparatus is configured to prevent fluids conducted by the first and second conduits from being dispensed contemporaneously.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first conduit is connected to a cooled fluid supply, preferably a chilled fluid; and the second conduit is connected to a heated fluid supply, preferably a boiling water supply.

[0021] In one embodiment, an elongate housing-defined fluid flow path is formed between an internal surface of the elongate housing and external surfaces of the plurality of conduits, and the elongate housing-defined fluid flow path directs a fluid toward or through the outlet portion.

[0022] In one embodiment, the fluid flowing through the elongate housing-defined fluid flow path is provided by one or more fluid supplies external to the elongate housing.

[0023] In one embodiment, the fluid flowing through the elongate housing-defined fluid flow path is provided by first and second fluid supplies.

[0024] In one embodiment, fluids supplied by the first and second fluid supplies are normally dispensed contemporaneously, or the apparatus is configured to allow fluids supplied by the first and second conduits to be dispensed contemporaneously. IRN20105098

[0025] In one embodiment, the first fluid supply is a mains water supply, and the second fluid supply is a heated main water supply.

[0026] In one embodiment, one of the plurality of conduits is a vent conduit configured to convey a gas or a vapour between the volume and an environment external to the apparatus.

[0027] In one embodiment, the volume is formed by a water heater or a water boiler that is integral with the apparatus or associated with the apparatus.

[0028] In one embodiment, the output portion comprises a space or an aperture allowing passage of a fluid from the merged fluid flow path therethrough.

[0029] In one embodiment, the output portion comprises a space, or an aperture, or a series of apertures allowing passage of a fluid from the elongate housing-defined fluid flow path therethrough.

[0030] In one embodiment, the space, the aperture, or the series of apertures is / are disposed in a peripheral region of the output portion.

[0031] In one embodiment, the space, or the aperture, or the series of apertures is / are configured to aerate the fluid.

[0032] In one embodiment, the output portion comprises a space, or an aperture, or a series of apertures allowing passage of a gas or a vapour from the vent conduit therethrough.

[0033] In one embodiment, the output portion is generally formed as a disc or a cylinder.

[0034] In one embodiment, the elongate housing has a substantially fixed cross-sectional area, or a substantially fixed perimeter measurement, or a substantially fixed circumference measurement along its length.

[0035] In one embodiment, the elongate housing is devoid of any flaring about the output portion.

[0036] In one embodiment, the housing has a bend. IRN20105098

[0037] In one embodiment, the elongate housing is configured as a spout for mounting about a sink such that the outlet portion directs a fluid generally downwardly and into the sink.

[0038] In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises any one or more of a valve, a mixer valve, a chilled water supply unit or source, a boiling water supply unit or source, a carbonated water supply unit or source, a heated mains water supply unit or source, a mains water connector, each of which is configured to control or supply a fluid to the first, second or third flow paths.

[0039] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The various embodiments of the disclosure shown in each of the drawings are not intended to show complete and operable forms of the disclosure. Moreover, each of the components of the embodiments of the drawings are not drawn to scale. The components are drawn so as to show functional relationships therebetween.

[0041] FIG. 1 A illustrates highly diagrammatically, and in lateral view cross-section, a spout portion of a beverage dispensing unit.

[0042] FIG. IB is the section through the line X-X’ of FIG. 1A.

[0043] FIG. 1C is the section through the line Y-Y’ of FIG. 1A.

[0044] FIG. 2 illustrates highly diagrammatically, conduits internal to a spout housing.

[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates highly diagrammatically the underside of the spout output portion of FIG. 2 showing features of an outlet plate disposed therein.

[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates a spout having a fixed diameter along its length, and a bend to direct the output portion downwardly.

[0047] Features identified by the same numeral are the same or are functional equivalents. IRN20105098

[0048] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or similar wording means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but in some instances may do so. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0050] Similarly, it should be appreciated that the description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and various features of the disclosure are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this disclosure.

[0051] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the disclosure, and from different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art.

[0052] In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms “comprising”, “comprised of’ or “which comprises” is an open term that means including at least the elements / features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a method comprising step A and step B should not be limited to methods consisting only of methods A and B. Any one of the terms “including” or “which includes” or “that includes” as used herein is also an open term that also means IRN20105098 including at least the elements / features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, “including” is synonymous with and means “comprising”.

[0053] As used herein, the term “boiling water” includes water that is not actually boiling. The term includes water that is near to boiling at a temperature for which water may be used in coffee or tea-making.

[0054] The disclosure has been described with reference to certain advantages. It is not suggested or represented that each embodiment of the disclosure has all of the advantages described. Any particular embodiment may have only a single advantage. In some embodiments, the disclosure may provide no advantage and merely provide a useful alternative to the prior art.

[0055] With a view to addressing one or more problems of the prior art, or providing an alternative to the prior art, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for dispensing a fluid and optionally venting an integrated or associatedvolume, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of conduits running within an elongate housing, each conduit defining a fluid flow path having a cross- sectional area; and an outlet portion disposed at or toward a terminus of the elongate housing and configured to allow passage of a fluid from each of the plurality of conduits to an environment external to the apparatus; wherein the fluid flow path of a first conduit of the plurality of conduits is merged with the fluid flow path of a second conduit of the plurality of conduits to provide a merged fluid flow path having a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area of the merged fluid flow path being less than the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the first and second fluid flow paths. The components just described may be configured as a spout of a tap, the tap forming a standalone product for connection to one or more fluid sources. Alternatively, the components may may form part of a self-contained system, such as a beverage dispensing system.

[0056] The present disclosure will now be more fully described by reference to the following nonlimiting embodiments.

[0057] Reference is firstly made to FIG. 1 A, FIG. IB and FIG. 1C illustrating highly diagrammatically a terminal length of a spout portion (5) of a multifunction water dispensing apparatus. Fluids flow from the top to the bottom, (as drawn). The spout portion (5) comprises an elongate housing (10) having running therethrough a chilled water pipe (15), a boiling water pipe (20), IRN20105098 and a vent pipe (25). The chilled water pipe (15) is connected to an upstream supply of chilled water (not drawn), such as is known in the art of self-contained multifunction water dispensing apparatus. The boiling water pipe (20) is connected to an upstream supply of boiling water (not drawn), such as is known in the art of self-contained multifunction water dispensing apparatus. The bore of each pipe (15, 20) is sufficient so as to provide for an acceptable flow rate of chilled water or boiling water respectively.

[0058] The vent pipe (25) communicates with the boiling water supply such that any excess pressure or vacuum formed in a tank or conduit thereof is released. The vent pipe is preferably of considerable bore so as to slowly release any pressurised hot air, water, steam or water vapour. A more restricted bore pipe would eject hot fluids at a higher velocity increasing the potential for contact with a person nearby.

[0059] Each of the pipes (15, 20, 25) provides a defined flow path for the respective fluid conducted therein.

[0060] A further flow path (30) is defined by the elongate housing (10) interior surfaces, and the external surfaces of the pipes (15, 20, 25). The flow of water through the elongate housing- defined flow path (30) is indicated by the dashed arrows. The spaces about the pipes (15, 20, 25) are thus exploited to convey mains water from the conventional hot and cold water supplies provided within a building and through to the spout portion outlet. The hot and cold water is mixed upstream by a mixer valve, for example, by the user to achieve a desired temperature as is conventional in the art.

[0061] Utilizing the otherwise redundant space about the pipes (15, 20, 25) maximizes use of the spout portion (5) cross-sectional area for conveying fluids, and negates the need for dedicated pipe(s) to convey hot and / or cold water. The width of the spout portion (5) is therefore able to be limited to smaller diameters. The width of the spout portion may be less than about 35 mm, 34 mm, 33 mm, 32 mm, 31 mm, 30 mm, 29 mm, 28 mm, 27 mm, 26 mm, 25 mm, 24 mm, 23 mm, 22 mm, 21 mm or 20 mm.

[0062] The chilled water pipe (15) and the boiling water pipe (20) are merged by a Y-connector (35), the output of the latter being of similar bore to the input pipes (15, 20). By this arrangement the number of pipes that terminate at the spout portion opening is reduced, thereby leaving IRN20105098 more room to accommodate the large bore vent pipe (25). The volume of empty space about the spout potion (5) outlet (to the bottom, as drawn) is also increased thereby improving the flow of the mains hot / cold water through the elongate housing defined flow path (30) and out of the spout portion (5).

[0063] The spout portion (5) outlet has an outlet plate (40) through which all fluids exit. The outlet plate comprises a first aperture (45) allowing the output of the Y-connector (35) to pass therethrough, and a second aperture (50) allowing the output of the vent pipe (25) to pass therethrough. The outlet plate (40) includes a peripheral aerator region (55) comprising a plurality of small perforations or slots configured to cause turbulent flow. The use of the Y- connector (35) saves the need for a pipe (15, 20) to terminate at the outlet plate (40) and therefore provides a greater area available to the aerator region (55).

[0064] Absent the Y-connector (35) the outlet plate (40) would be required to have a greater diameter to attain the same free volume about the spout portion (5) opening, and the same area available for aeration and exit of the hot / cold water. Accordingly, in the present disclosure the outlet spout may be maintained at a limited diameter with there being no need to flare the elongate housing (10) about the spout portion (5) outlet. As drawn, the spout portion (5) has a fixed diameter for its whole length.

[0065] In this embodiment, the Y-connector (35) is used to merge flow of the chilled water (15) and boiling water (20) pipes, these pipes being selected because it should not be necessary for the user to require both chilled and boiled water to be dispensed contemporaneously. Indeed, a dispensing apparatus may be configured by way of mechanical, electrical or software means to prevent such contemporaneous dispensing. In this way, merging of the pipes (15, 20) by the Y-connector (35) does not place any practical limitation on the flow rates achievable by the spout portion (5). The Y-connector (35) output can handle the full flow rate of pipe (15) and pipe (20) because only one pipe is delivering a single fluid (i.e. chilled water or boiled water) at any one time.

[0066] Reference is made to FIG. 2 showing a further embodiment of the disclosure, and particularly the internal pipes of a spout portion having similar functionality and construction to that shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. IB and FIG. 1C. IRN20105098

[0067] FIG. 3 illustrates the underside of the spout portion of FIG. 2 showing the apertures and aerator / water exit region similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1A, FIG. IB and FIG. 1C. An external layer (60) that may perform protective, pipe management, or a decorative function is applied to the elongate housing (10).

[0068] FIG. 4 illustrates a spout portion (5) in the context of a mixer-type tap, showing its slim profile, fixed diameter and lack of any flaring in the outlet region of the spout portion for its entire length.

[0069] The flow paths of fluid pairs other than boiling water and chilled water may be chosen to merge as described above. The first of a fluid pair may be boiling water or chilled water, with the second being any other fluid. The second fluid in this scenario may be carbonated water, still water, flavoured water, heated water, or mains water.

[0070] The Y-connector does not need to be a discrete component. In other embodiments the two pipes may be joined together directly, or may be moulded so as to merge the respective flow paths. For example, one of the pipes may have an aperture formed in its wall with the terminus of the other pipe inserting into or abutting the aperture and a join formed. Plastic welding, metal welding, gluing, sealant, screw connectors, or frictional engagement may be used.

[0071] As a further alternative, a small manifold, a chamber, a space or a void may be used to merge the flow paths of two pipes.

[0072] Further alternative embodiments contemplate the merging of 3, 4 or more flow paths into a single flow path.

[0073] The disclosure is described by reference to a spout housing and pipes being of circular crosssection. It will be appreciated that housing and pipes may have cross-sections of other geometries, such as ovoid, triangular, square, or octagonal for example.

[0074] The present disclosure may be applied to a self-contained under-bench, on-bench or freestanding beverage dispensing unit of the type installed in a domestic environment (such as a kitchen) or in a workplace. Such units are typically connected to mains water, and have integral cooling units, boiling units and carbonators. IRN20105098

[0075] While the disclosure has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0076] Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present disclosure is not to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood in the broadest sense allowable by law.

Claims

IRN20105098CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for dispensing a fluid and optionally venting a volume integrated or associated with the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of conduits running within an elongate housing, each conduit defining a fluid flow path having a cross-sectional area; and an outlet portion disposed at or toward a terminus of the elongate housing and configured to allow passage of a fluid from each of the plurality of conduits to an environment external to the apparatus; wherein the fluid flow path of a first conduit of the plurality of conduits is merged with the fluid flow path of a second conduit of the plurality of conduits to provide a merged fluid flow path having a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area of the merged fluid flow path being less than the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the first and second fluid flow paths.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the merged fluid flow path is less than about 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, or 50% the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the first and second fluid flow paths.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the merged fluid flow path is about the same as, or within about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, or 25%, that of the first and / or the second flow path.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a fluid of the merged fluid flow path is conducted toward the environment external to the apparatus by way of an outlet conduit, an internal dimension of the outlet conduit defining the cross-sectional area of the merged fluid flow path.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising a two-into-one connector, the first and second conduits each directing a fluid into the connector, the output of the connector directing fluid from the first and second conduits toward or through the outlet portion.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein fluids conducted by the first and second conduits are not normally dispensed contemporaneously, or the apparatus isIRN20105098 configured to prevent fluids conducted by the first and second conduits from being dispensed contemporaneously .

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first conduit is connected to a cooled fluid supply, preferably a chilled fluid; and the second conduit is connected to a heated fluid supply, preferably a boiling water supply.

8. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an elongate housing-defined fluid flow path is formed between an internal surface of the elongate housing and external surfaces of the plurality of conduits, and the elongate housing-defined fluid flow path directs a fluid toward or through the outlet portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the fluid flowing through the elongate housing- defined fluid flow path is provided by one or more fluid supplies external to the elongate housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the fluid flowing through the elongate housing-defined fluid flow path is provided by first and second fluid supplies.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein fluids supplied by the first and second fluid supplies are normally dispensed contemporaneously, or the apparatus is configured to allow fluids supplied by the first and second conduits to be dispensed contemporaneously.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first fluid supply is a mains water supply, and the second fluid supply is a heated mains water supply.

13. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein one of the plurality of conduits is a vent conduit configured to convey a gas or a vapour between the volume and an environment external to the apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the volume is formed by a water heater or a water boiler that is integral with the apparatus or associated with the apparatus.IRN2010509815. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the output portion comprises a space or an aperture allowing passage of a fluid from the merged fluid flow path therethrough.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein the output portion comprises a space, or an aperture, or a series of apertures allowing passage of a fluid from the elongate housing-defined fluid flow path therethrough.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the space, the aperture, or the series of apertures is / are disposed in a peripheral region of the output portion.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the space, or the aperture, or the series of apertures is / are configured to aerate the fluid.

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the output portion comprises a space, or an aperture, or a series of apertures allowing passage of a gas or a vapour from the vent conduit therethrough.

20. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the output portion is generally formed as a disc or a cylinder.

21. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the elongate housing has a substantially fixed cross-sectional area, or a substantially fixed perimeter measurement, or a substantially fixed circumference measurement along its length.

22. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the elongate housing is devoid of any flaring about the output portion.

23. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the elongate housing has a bend.

24. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the elongate housing is configured as a spout for mounting about a sink such that the outlet portion directs a fluid generally downwardly and into the sink.IRN2010509825. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 24 comprising any one or more of a valve, a mixer valve, a chilled water supply unit or source, a boiling water supply unit or source, a carbonated water supply unit or source, a heated mains water supply unit or source, a mains water connector, each of which is configured to control or supply a fluid to the first, second or third flow paths.

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