Expansion chamber arrangement for water heating and dispensing device

Abstract

A water heating and dispensing device includes a tank which forms the main hot water container, a heating device in the tank which is thermostatically controlled in order to maintain the temperature of the water at the desired level, inlet and outlet conduits associated with the tank and a valve associated with the inlet conduit for controlling water flow into the tank and dispensing of water from the outlet conduit. A separate reservoir is connected to the inlet conduit between the valve and the tank through a venturi nozzle which permits water to flow into and out of the reservoir. The reservoir has collapsible wall portions which collapse to provide for a decrease in volume in the reservoir as water is drawn from it through the venturi nozzle during dispensing of water, and which is expandable to an expanded maximum completely filled condition after dispensing has ceased, as a result of water flowing back from the main hot water container through the venturi nozzle. The maximum filled position has a sufficient volume to reduce the water level in the tank and outlet conduit sufficiently to allow for expansion of water in the tank due to heating, without dispensing water from the outlet conduit due to expansion. The reservoir comprises a cylindrical collapsible tube concentric with the inlet conduit and provided at one end with a rigid closure member in which is formed the venturi nozzle.