Ebac Limited

Robert Tansley

Paul Salkeld

Andrew Gibbs

Hugh Alexander Connell

Andrew Smith

Liquid is supplied from a bottle B to a discharge outlet via a molded plastics reservoir by pressurizing the bottle using an air pump . A pressure sensor responds to a rise in air pressure supplied to the bottle by shutting off the pump. Liquid is removed from the reservoir through a dip tube having a main outlet adjacent to the bottom of the reservoir and a smaller auxiliary outlet adjacent to the top of the reservoir. The upper region of the reservoir is received in a finned heat-conducting holder provided with a thermoelectric cooling element. For hygienic purposes the bottle has a connector which can be replaced together with the reservoir and associated supply tubes and . A temperature-control mixer may be to mix liquid from the reservoir with liquid from the bottle.

Bottled liquid dispensers

Beverage dispenser

A water dispenser which dispenses liquid from an inverted bottle includes a housing 31 provided with a mounting arrangement for the bottle. A feed tube incorporated in a removably mounted manifold body is positioned to project into the neck of the bottle to conduct water to a reservoir from which water is discharged through a valve 80. The valve includes a pinch bar 106 acting on a flexible plastics or rubber tube 96 which can easily be replaced. The outlet end of the tube is recessed behind the housing 31 to prevent accidental hand contact. Liquid discharged from the bottle is replaced by air which passes through a one-way float valve mounted on the manifold body for removal therewith, and the float valve incorporates an air filter.

Apparatus for dispensing liquid from an inverted container

Water cooler

Apparatus for dispensing liquid from an inverted bottle having a neck through which the liquid is discharged, is provided with a mount 32 having a feed tube 34 to project into the neck of the bottle. The feed tube forms part of a reservoir 152 which incorporates a drainage channel 153 to sealably receive the neck of the bottle with closure of drain valve 144. Water travels from the feed tube 34 to a cold reservoir 160 comprising a flexible bag 163 received within a fixed rigid outer 162. Cooled water leaves the bag 163 to a discharge valve 168. The feed tube 34 may also supply a hot water reservoir (FIG. 3 ) which is also replaceable. To maintain strict hygiene, the manifold 152 and both reservoirs are completely replaced at intervals together with the interconnecting pipework.

Liquid dispensers having removable components

The apparatus is intended for dispensing liquid from an inverted container having a neck through which the liquid is discharged, and includes a housing 31 provided with a mounting arrangement 32 for receiving and supporting the inverted container. A feed tube 34 is arranged to project into the neck of said liquid container to conduct liquid to a reservoir, and cover flaps 62 and 63 are biassed together by tension springs 69 and 70 to cover the feed tube 34 upon removal of the liquid container. The feed tube may alternatively be covered by a resilient diaphragm.

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Stratford-Upon-Avon, United Kingdom

Robert Tansley