US 12,121,177 B2
System and method for dispensing precise temperature controlled hot water
Errin Whitney Gnadinger, Louisville, KY (US); Benjamin L. Martin, Louisville, KY (US); Robert L. Lewis, Jr., Louisville, KY (US); Grayson Paul Newland, New Albany, IN (US); Dean Paul Haviland, Lousiville, KY (US); Max Bock-Aronson, Minneapolis, MN (US); Cheryl E. Watson, Noblesville, IN (US); Dan Johnson, Minneapolis, MN (US); Eric Krause, Minneapolis, MN (US); and Todd Matthew Squires, Bull Valley, IL (US)
Assigned to Tea Unwrapped LLC, Noblesville, IN (US)
Filed by Tea Unwrapped LLC, Noblesville, IN (US)
Filed on Oct. 29, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/949,455.
Application 16/949,455 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2019/032774, filed on May 17, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/673,295, filed on May 18, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0038017 A1, Feb. 11, 2021
Int. Cl. A47J 31/46 (2006.01); A47J 31/40 (2006.01); A47J 31/56 (2006.01); B67D 1/08 (2006.01)
CPC A47J 31/461 (2018.08) [A47J 31/402 (2013.01); A47J 31/465 (2013.01); A47J 31/468 (2018.08); A47J 31/469 (2018.08); A47J 31/56 (2013.01); B67D 1/0884 (2013.01); B67D 2210/00118 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A dispenser for dispensing a specified volume of water at a specified temperature into a waiting user vessel, comprising:
a water line for receiving water from a water source;
a first holding tank for storing water at a first predetermined temperature, the first holding tank having a first inlet for receiving water, a first temperature sensor, a first outlet having a first pump, and a first heater for maintaining water within the first holding tank at a first predetermined temperature;
a second holding tank, separate from the first holding tank, for storing water at a second temperature different from the first predetermined temperature, the second holding tank having a second inlet, a second temperature sensor, and a second outlet having a second pump;
a first recirculation valve in fluid communication with the first outlet, wherein the first recirculation valve is operable to selectively divert water from the first outlet between a first recirculation loop which returns water to the first holding tank or a first water dispense line;
a water dispense port in fluid communication with the first water dispense line and a second water dispense line connected to the second outlet, wherein the water dispense port is configured to dispense water from the first holding tank and the second holding tank into the vessel;
a first flowmeter positioned between the first outlet and the water dispense port and in fluid communication with the water from the first holding tank;
a second flowmeter positioned between the second outlet and the water dispense port and in fluid communication with the water from the second holding tank;
an electronic controller for receiving input from the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, the first flowmeter and the second flowmeter and controlling the first pump, the second pump, and the first recirculation valve in order to recirculate water in the first holding tank and the second holding tank and subsequently dispense the specified volume of water through the water dispense port.