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 .- 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . An ozone generator tube comprising:
 a) a glass tube having an outer surface and an inner elongated open ended bore with an inner diameter;   b) an air pump connected to the glass tube for transmitting air to the tube bore;   c) a pair of metallic foil electrodes mounted upon the outer surface of the glass tube and at spaced apart positions, one of the metal foil electrodes being a part of positive electrode, the other being a part of a negative electrode;   d) an elongated metallic member that occupies at least a part of the bore;   e) a connection that connects the metallic member to one of the foil electrodes; and   f) a source of electricity for supplying electricity to the electrodes.   
     
     
         41 . The ozone generator tube of claim  1  wherein one of the metal foil electrodes has a shiny reflective surface that faces the glass tube. 
     
     
         42 . The ozone generator tube of claim  1  wherein each of the metal foil electrodes has a shiny reflective surface that faces the glass tube. 
     
     
         43 . The ozone generator of  claim 40  wherein the glass tube has a generally cylindrical outer surface. 
     
     
         44 . The ozone generator of  claim 40  wherein the open ended bore is generally cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
         45 . The ozone generator of  claim 40  wherein the elongated metallic member has a generally linear portion that defines a majority of its length. 
     
     
         46 . The ozone generator of  claim 40  wherein the elongated member has a bend at one end portion that is positioned next to one end portion of the tube. 
     
     
         47 . The ozone generator of  claim 40  wherein the glass tube is of a Pyrex glass material. 
     
     
         48 . The ozone generator of  claim 40  wherein at least one of the metal foil electrodes is adhesive tape material that has an adhesive surface enabling adhesion to the glass tube. 
     
     
         49 . The ozone generator tube of  claim 48  wherein one of the metal foil electrodes has a shiny reflective surface that faces the glass tube. 
     
     
         50 . The ozone generator tube of  claim 48  wherein each of the metal foil electrodes has a shiny reflective surface that faces the glass tube. 
     
     
         51 . An ozone generator tube comprising:
 a) a glass tube having an outer surface and an inner elongated open ended bore with an inner diameter;   b) an air pump connected to the glass tube for transmitting air to the tube bore;   c) a pair of metallic foil electrodes mounted upon the outer surface of the glass tube and at spaced apart positions, one of the metal foil electrodes being a part of positive electrode, the other being a part of a negative electrode;   d) an elongated metallic member having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the glass tube so that there is an air space in between the metallic member and the inner surface of the glass tube.   e) a connection that connects the metallic member to one of the foil electrodes; and   f) a source of electricity for supplying electricity to the electrodes.   
     
     
         52 . The ozone generator tube of  claim 51  wherein one of the metal foil electrodes has a shiny reflective surface that faces the glass tube. 
     
     
         53 . The ozone generator tube of  claim 51  wherein each of the metal foil electrodes has a shiny reflective surface that faces the glass tube. 
     
     
         54 . The ozone generator of  claim 51  wherein the glass tube has a generally cylindrical outer surface. 
     
     
         55 . The ozone generator of  claim 51  wherein the open ended bore is generally cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
         56 . The ozone generator of  claim 51  wherein the elongated metallic member has a generally linear portion that defines a majority of its length. 
     
     
         57 . The ozone generator of  claim 51  wherein the elongated member has a bend at one end portion that is positioned next to one end portion of the tube. 
     
     
         58 . The ozone generator of  claim 51  wherein the glass tube is of a Pyrex glass material. 
     
     
         59 . The ozone generator of  claim 51  wherein at least one of the metal foil electrodes is adhesive tape material that has an adhesive surface enabling adhesion to the glass tube. 
     
     
         60 . The ozone generator tube of  claim 59  wherein one of the metal foil electrodes has a shiny reflective surface that faces the glass tube. 
     
     
         61 . The ozone generator tube of  claim 59  wherein each of the metal foil electrodes has a shiny reflective surface that faces the glass tube.