Method and apparatus for programably treating water in a water cooler

Abstract

An apparatus for a programmable self sanitizing water dispenser apparatus with a digital controller as well as a programmable method for generating ozone for cleaning the reservoir and the water contained within it. The apparatus includes an anti-spill receiver that houses the controller and that can contain a ozone generator.

1 . A water dispenser, comprising:
 a) a cabinet having upper and lower end portions and an interior;   b) reservoir contained within the cabinet, the reservoir being capable of holding water;   c) an anti-spill annular housing that is attached to the cabinet above the reservoir, said anti-spill annular housing having a central opening surrounded by a bottle support surface that is configured to support an inverted water supply bottle having a neck,   d) said anti-spill annular housing including a probe, the probe extending upwardly and configured to connect to a water supply bottle at the bottle opening;   e) at least one spigot in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing water;   f) a diffuser contained within the reservoir for emitting bubbles into the reservoir;   g) an ozone generator contained within said annular housing,   h) a flow line that connects the ozone generator to the diffuser;   i) a pump that is in fluid communication with the ozone generator and the diffuser so that the pump can transmit ozone from the generator to the diffuser via the flow line;   j) a controller operably connected to the ozone generator;   k) the controller being programmable regarding the timing and duration of ozone generated by the ozone generator and sent to the diffuser;   l) wherein the controller includes a circuit board contained within an interior of said anti-spill housing, said circuit board extending along an arcuate path that extends at least partially circumferentially around said central opening;   m) said anti-spill housing having an interior, an upper section, and a lower section that defines a separating wall that separates said housing interior from the water contained in said reservoir, wherein the circuit board is positioned within said interior and above the lower section; and   n) wherein said housing has a panel having an indicator and a manually operable button that enables control of multiple functions, including at least ozonation.   
     
     
         2 . The water dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is programmable regarding the timing and duration of air to be sent to the diffuser from the pump. 
     
     
         3 . The water dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the pump is spaced apart from the ozone generator. 
     
     
         4 . The water dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmable regarding the amount of ozone generated, the amounts being chosen from between about 25 to about 100 percent ozone generation. 
     
     
         5 . The water dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is programmed to have air pumped through the diffuser for a set period of time before ozone is generated. 
     
     
         6 . The water dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is programmed to have air pumped through the diffuser for a set period of time before ozone is sent through the diffuser and a set period of time after ozone is generated. 
     
     
         7 . The water dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is programmed to have air pumped through the diffuser for a set period of time after ozone is generated. 
     
     
         8 . The water dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a refrigeration system that enables cooling of water in the reservoir and wherein the controller is programmed to shut off the refrigeration system a set period of time before ozone is generated. 
     
     
         9 . The water dispenser of  claim 8 , wherein the refrigeration system is shut off a selected time interval before ozone is generated. 
     
     
         10 . A water dispenser, comprising:
 a) a cabinet having upper and lower end portions and an interior;   b) reservoir contained within the cabinet, the reservoir being capable of holding water;   c) an anti-spill annular housing that is attached to the cabinet above the reservoir, said housing having a central opening surrounded by a bottle support surface that is configured to support an inverted water supply bottle having a neck, and a probe that extends upwardly for enabling a connection to be made with a water supply bottle opening on the bottle;   d) the housing having an interior, an upper section, and a lower section that defines a separating wall that separates said interior from said reservoir;   e) at least one spigot in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing water from the reservoir;   f) a diffuser contained within the reservoir for emitting bubbles into the reservoir;   g) an ozone generator supported within said annular housing interior and being operably connected to transmit ozone to the diffuser during ozonation of water to be dispensed;   h) a controller contained within the annular housing and connected to the ozone generator inside the annular housing;   i) wherein the controller includes a circuit board contained within the interior of said housing, and above the separating wall, said circuit board extending in an arcuate path at least partially circumferentially around said central opening and wherein the circuit board is positioned above the separation wall; and   j) wherein said annular housing has a control panel having an indicator and a manually operable button that enables control of multiple functions, including at least ozonation.   
     
     
         11 . The water dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the ozone generator includes an air pump and the controller is programmed to have air pumped via the air pump through the diffuser for a set period of time before ozone is generated. 
     
     
         12 . The water dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is programmed to have air pumped through the diffuser for a set period of time before ozone is sent through the diffuser and a set period of time after ozone is generated. 
     
     
         13 . The water dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is programmed to have air pumped through the diffuser for a set period of time after ozone is generated. 
     
     
         14 . The water dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is programmed to have air pumped through the diffuser for a set period of time before ozone is generated. 
     
     
         15 . The water dispenser of  claim 10 , further comprising a refrigeration system within the cabinet that enables water to be cooled before it is dispensed and the controller is operably connected to the refrigeration system and programmable regarding the timing and duration of operation of the refrigeration system. 
     
     
         16 . A water dispenser, comprising:
 a) a cabinet having upper and lower end portions and an interior;   b) reservoir contained within the cabinet, the reservoir being capable of holding water;   c) a bottle water supply having a bottle with a neck and an outlet opening;   d) an annular anti-spill housing that is attached to the cabinet above the reservoir, said housing having a central opening surrounded by a bottle support surface that is configured to support the bottle water supply in an inverted position, the housing having a probe that extends upwardly and that is configured to connect to the bottle opening;   e) the housing having an interior, an upper section, a lower section that defines a separating wall that separates said interior from said reservoir and a controller that includes an arc shaped circuit board that is positioned above the separating wall;   f) at least one spigot in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing water from the reservoir;   g) a refrigeration system for cooling water within the reservoir;   h) a diffuser contained within the reservoir for emitting bubbles into the reservoir;   i) an ozone generator housed within said annular housing and attached to said circuit board;   j) a flow line that enables the transmission of ozone from the ozone generator to the diffuser;   k) the controller operably connected to the ozone generator;   l) the circuit board extending along an arcuate path that is positioned at least partially circumferentially around said central opening; and   m) wherein said housing has a control panel with an indicator and a manually operable button that enables control of multiple functions, including at least ozonation.   
     
     
         17 . A water dispenser, comprising:
 a) a cabinet having upper and lower end portions and an interior;   b) reservoir contained within the cabinet, the reservoir being capable of holding water;   c) a bottle having a neck, a bottle opening and a water supply;   d) an annular, hollowed anti-spill receiver that is attached to the cabinet above the reservoir, said anti-spill receiver including a housing having a central opening surrounded by a bottle support surface that is configured to support the water supply bottle in an inverted position, the receiver having a probe configured to extend upwardly for connecting to the bottle opening;   e) the housing having an interior, an upper section, a lower section, and a separating baffle wall that separates said interior from said reservoir;   f) at least one spigot in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing water;   g) a diffuser contained within the reservoir for emitting bubbles into the reservoir;   h) an ozone generator housed within said annular, hollowed housing;   i) a flow line that enables the transmission of ozone from the ozone generator to the diffuser;   j) a controller inside said annular housing and operably connected to the ozone generator;   k) wherein the controller includes a circuit board contained within the interior of said housing, and above the separating baffle wall, said circuit board extending along an arcuate path that curves around said central opening, wherein the circuit board is positioned above the baffle wall; and   l) wherein said housing has a panel having an indicator and a manually operable button that enables control of multiple functions, including at least ozonation.   
     
     
         18 . The water dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the ozone generator is attached to the circuit board. 
     
     
         19 . The water dispenser of  claim 10  wherein the ozone generator is attached to the circuit board. 
     
     
         20 . The water dispenser of  claim 16  wherein the ozone generator is attached to the circuit board. 
     
     
         21 . The water dispenser of  claim 17  wherein the ozone generator is attached to the circuit board. 
     
     
         22 . The water dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the indicator and manually operable button enable control of power and water detection functions. 
     
     
         23 . The water dispenser of  claim 10  wherein the indicator and manually operable button enable control of power ozonation, and water detection functions. 
     
     
         24 . The water dispenser of  claim 16  wherein the indicator and manually operable button enable control of power and water detection functions. 
     
     
         25 . The water dispenser of  claim 17  wherein the indicator and manually operable button enable control of power and water detection functions.