Thermoelectric water cooler with filter monitor system
US6736298B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 18, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2321/0251
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A filter monitor system is provided in a bottled water cooler for automatically tracking a filter service interval, and for indicating that filter cleaning or replacement is required for continued efficient cooler operation. In the preferred form, the water cooler includes a thermoelectric chiller module for chilling at least a portion of water contained within a cooler reservoir. An air filter is mounted on a filter frame which is removably positioned for filtering air drawn by a fan to circulate over a heat sink associated with the thermoelectric chiller module. The filter monitor system includes a reset switch engaged by the filter frame to initiate and track a predetermined filter service time interval, such as thirty days, and to energize a signal such as an indicator light at the conclusion of this service interval to indicate that the air filter should be removed for cleaning or replacement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.