Method and apparatus for disinfecting a refrigerated water cooler reservoir

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing sanitized water in a cabinet and spigot type bottled water dispenser features an ozone generating system to generate ozone for sanitizing the water. Ozone is generated and collected within an ozone generator housing. A blower transmits air to the ozone generator housing. The air carries the ozone that is generated through a flow line to an air diffuser that is positioned upstream of the spigot (or spigots) used to dispense water. In one embodiment, a valve that is activated on the spigot to dispense water also activates the blower and ozone generator. In other embodiments, a flow sensor activates the ozone generator and blower. Various spigot and flow sensor arrangements are disclosed as a part of the overall apparatus and method.

1 . A water dispenser, comprising: 
 a) a cabinet having upper and lower end portions and an interior;    b) the upper end portion of the cabinet having a cover with an opening for receiving and holding a bottle of water to be dispensed;    c) reservoir supported by the cabinet, the reservoir containing water with a water surface;    d) one or more spigots in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing water, each spigot having a valve handle that opens the spigot to dispense water from the spigot;    e) a refrigeration system for cooling water within the reservoir;    f) a diffuser for emitting bubbles into the reservoir, the diffuser being contained within the reservoir;    g) an ozone generator having an air flow line for transmitting air to the reservoir;    h) a timer that activates the ozone generator for a selected time interval and then deactivates the ozone generator after the selected time interval expires, the timer activating the ozone generator.    
     
     
         2 . The water dispenser of  claim 1  wherein ozone is generated by the generator responsive to operation of one of the spigot valves.  
     
     
         3 . The water dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the ozone generator is activated when the spigot handle is manually operated.  
     
     
         4 . The water dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the spigot has an electrical switch that is activated when the handle is operated, the switch being coupled to the ozone generator.  
     
     
         5 . The water dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the reservoir includes a generally vertical sidewall and the diffuser is a ring positioned to discharge bubbles against the sidewall so that the sidewall is scrubbed with ozone bubbles during use.  
     
     
         6 . The water dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the ozone generator generates sufficient ozone to sterilize the water in the reservoir by bubbling air upwardly a distance of just a few inches.  
     
     
         7 - 18 . (canceled)  
     
     
         19 . A cooled water dispenser, comprising: 
 a) a cabinet having a contained water dispensing system that includes a water source and a dispensing spigot;    b) a refrigeration system for cooling water contained in the water dispensing system;    c) an ozone generator having an air flow line for transmitting ozone to the water dispensing system; and    d) the ozone generator being operably connected to the dispensing spigot.    
     
     
         20 . The water dispenser of  claim 19 , further including a reservoir and diffuser operably connected to the ozone generator.  
     
     
         21 . The water dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein the diffuser ring is generally circular.  
     
     
         22 . The water dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein the reservoir has a center portion and the diffuser ring has openings positioned to direct air emissions from the center portion of the reservoir.  
     
     
         23 . The water dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein the reservoir includes a generally vertical sidewall and the diffuser ring is positioned to discharge bubbles against the sidewall so that the sidewall is scrubbed with ozone bubbles during use.  
     
     
         24 . The water dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein the ozone generator generates sufficient ozone to sterilize the water in the reservoir by bubbling air upwardly a distance of just a few inches.  
     
     
         25 - 27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . A method of sanitizing a cooled water dispenser having a cabinet with water supply and a refrigeration system that cools the water supply, and wherein an operable spigot on the cabinet enables water to be dispensed from the cabinet and its water supply comprising the steps of: 
 a) using the refrigeration system to cool the water supply;    b) generating ozone with an ozone generator;    c) collecting the generated ozone inside of an ozone generator housing;    d) transmitting ozone from the ozone generator housing to the water supply so that bubbles rise upwardly in the reservoir;    e) activating the ozone generator with the spigot handle when the spigot handle is operated to dispense water from the water supply.    g) deactivating the ozone generator and the blower after water in the reservoir has been sanitized.    
     
     
         29 - 30 . (canceled)  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein a controller simultaneously activates the ozone generator and deactivates the refrigeration system.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the refrigeration system is deactivated before the ozone generator is activated.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the refrigeration system is deactivated and the blower activated at about the same time.  
     
     
         34 . (canceled)  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein bubbles rise upwardly a distance of between about two and ten inches.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein bubbles rise upwardly a distance of between about four and eight inches.  
     
     
         37 - 61 . (canceled)