WO2002082412A1

WO2002082412A1 - Water dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2002082412A1
Application number: PCT/EP2002/003567
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ingo Fuchs; Elisabeth Fuchs
Original assignee: Kenosha Watercooler Vertriebs- Und Service Ag
Priority date: 2001-04-09
Filing date: 2002-03-30
Publication date: 2002-10-17

Abstract

The invention relates to a water dispenser comprising a water outlet and at least one support for an advertising surface that is allocated to the housing. The invention is characterised in that an interchangeable frame, which at least partially surrounds a water dispensing part and defines at least one advertising surface, is provided as the support for the advertising surface. Said frame has edges that are located at a distance from the water outlet and allow free access to said outlet, at least by creating an access window.

Description

water dispenser

description

The present invention relates to a water dispenser. Water dispensers are devices with which water from a large water supply, e.g. an 18.91 reusable bottle is tempered and can be removed from a water outlet for refreshment purposes.

Such water dispensers are often set up in publicly accessible areas such as department stores, retail stores and the like. They not only serve to provide customers with refreshment, but are also intended to serve advertising. The advertising effect occurs first by the fact that the customer or potential customer is given the water free of charge. But it can also print advertising or the like. are provided, which make the customer particularly aware of who is giving him the water, which is particularly effective due to the positive presentation of water.

Known water dispensers are printed with advertisements near the water outlets, for example the company logo of the retailer who installed them. Printing takes place e.g. via offset printing or in another known manner directly on the water dispenser. From DE 199 27 111 AI an arrangement is known in which a counter or the like is used for advertising purposes.

Often, however, it is desirable to enlarge the advertising space and / or to change the advertising space without any problems. to ensure formation. In addition, it is also necessary to have hygienically perfect water available at all times; both goals must not interfere with each other.

The aim of the present invention is to provide something new for commercial use.

The goal is achieved through the features of the independent claim. Preferred embodiments can be found in the subclaims.

According to a first essential aspect of the present invention, it is therefore proposed that, in the case of a water dispenser with a water outlet and at least one advertising surface support means assigned to the housing, it is provided that a water dispenser part, at least partially surrounding removable frame, is provided as the advertising surface support means, which defines at least one advertising surface, from the water outlet has spaced edges and leaves the water outlet at least open like a window.

This aspect leads to the realization that an advertising space is particularly effective if the user not only connects the positive with it, but also does not turn away from it for a long time. The spacing of the edges from the water outlet ensures that it is possible to operate the water dispenser to the water outlet unimpaired, which initially prevents the user from feeling disturbed by the advertising. The ad space is not only in view while a user is making the decision to skip water; During the removal of water, the user must, if he wants to overflow the Avoid vessels, keep a constant eye on the outlet point on the typically manually operated valve. The close spatial ^■ arrangement of the advertising medium frame in the passage or access area to the water outlet valve then ensures that the advertising area remains in the field of vision practically throughout the tapping process. Since the advertising space can be located in the peripheral area of the field of vision, subliminal or quasi-subliminal advertising with a positive mood of the advertised is guaranteed in a technically simple manner.

It is particularly preferred if the water dispenser is designed as a standing device and the frame is self-standing. This gives the impression of solidity and further increases the well-being of the user. At the same time, at least partial shielding of the housing can be achieved according to the invention, which is particularly useful for hygienic reasons. This makes it possible to use the water dispenser even in places that are heavily frequented by the public without the risk of poor hygiene. The frame, which only leaves an operating window at the water outlet, then significantly reduces the pollution of the device. The standing frame also improves the assembly of the advertising media.

The water dispenser is preferably designed as a water cooler, which has a cooling unit with an associated heat exchanger. Such cooling water dispensers are known per se. In such a case, it is preferred if the frame partially encompasses the device, that is to say extends from edge to edge of the heat exchanger, preferably in such a way that the cooler grill is generally left free, so that neither the heat dissipation is impaired nor a warming of the advertising medium must be feared. By reaching around, a large advertising space is ensured, which can also be noticed by the fleeting viewer; reaching around with a curved frame structure increases its stability. The only partial gripping ensures that the heat exchanger function is not impaired.

With such a design, the water cooler will preferably be installed close to the wall. This is advantageous because the cooling air flow is not impaired and the heat exchanger arrangement, which is often perceived as less attractive, is not in the field of vision. If installation close to the wall is not possible, a frame that at least partially surrounds the cooling unit can alternatively be provided in order to reduce the resulting noise.

The frame, if it encompasses the housing as preferred, will in particular be attached to a rear side of the water dispenser housing facing away from the water outlet side, for which purpose housing-fixed profiles can be provided on the water dispenser. The profiles are preferably designed as U-profiles, into which the frame edges can be inserted. The leg length of the U-profiles is then preferably dimensioned such that they securely grip the frame edges against the bending of the frame. The profiles can be glued and / or screwed. The frame can be formed from or comprise a flexible material. In particular, it is preferred if a flexible, transparent material is provided in order to protect the advertising media so that they can be protected against escaping water and are easy to attach.

If, as is possible and preferred for a variant, the frame is completely formed from flexible transparent material, the frame must be transported flat and bent around it at the location of the water dispenser. The frame preferably consists of two interconnected sheets of flexible material, of which at least the outer one is transparent or at least partially transparent when used. In a particularly preferred variant, the frame consists of two arches in the area of the water outlet, i.e. especially tightly formed all around the water outlet window. For this purpose, the sheets of flexible material can be welded to one another, glued or otherwise firmly and tightly connected to one another.

In a particularly preferred variant, it is generally preferred if the frame is firmly fixed to or on the housing of the water dispenser. In the case of installation sites with a lot of through traffic, it can be better avoided that the frame tilts over and is damaged as a result of accidental bumps.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the frame is made of metal, in particular aluminum or another material that gives a high-quality impression. provides and provided with hinged wings, on or in which an advertising medium can be held interchangeably. These hinged wings can extend over a substantial part of the water dispenser height. In this way, an arrangement covering the water dispenser and being easily provided with advertising can be created. It is preferred if, in the case of a frame closely surrounding the water dispenser and in particular closely fitting against the water dispenser housing, a slip cover or the like which grips over the housing shoulder of the water dispenser housing and is fixed to the frame wall is provided, so as to facilitate disassembly of the unused water dispenser or its frame enable.

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the frame is designed as an advertising medium attached to the water dispenser, which is arranged in particular in front of a water supply and in particular is provided on a water dispenser shoulder. It is again possible that the frame has a hinged wing door. It is preferred, as before in the stand variant, if the frame wing has a magnetic lock or the like, so as not to impair the visual appearance.

Alternatively, a particularly simple frame can consist of a transparent attachment with a flexible wire bracket on the back, which removably fixes the frame on the back of the frame to the water bottle. This is advantageous because it is ensured in a simple manner that a change in the advertising medium can take place with each water bottle change. A still further embodiment provides that the frame forms a recess receiving the water dispenser, the recess opening in particular being so large that not only the water outlet can be operated through it, but also the water dispenser as a whole and / or a water bottle to be exchanged lead is. As a result, the water dispenser is not only accommodated in a particularly protected manner, but also a particularly large advertising space is provided; the sufficiently large dimensioning of the recess opening also ensures that the ventilation is sufficient to prevent heat build-up, even with cooling water dispensers.

In a generally preferred variant, the water dispenser is provided with a water dispenser base, with which the frame having the advertising space is also raised. At the same time, this base is preferably provided with a removable water drip receptacle. This further increases the critical impression of cleanliness.

It should be mentioned that the invention is suitable for retrofitting existing water dispensers. Protection is therefore also claimed for the frame with a water outlet window per se and for a retrofit kit which has a profile and the frame and, if appropriate, assembly parts and the like.

The invention is described in the following only by way of example with reference to the drawing. In this shows: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention with a water dispenser and the associated frame from the front. 2 shows the rear view of this;

3 shows the frame according to the invention;

Fig. 4 shows the arrangement of the frame on the water dispenser.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of one of the

Invention with a water dispenser and the associated frame ready for the front

Change of advertising medium; 5a shows a detail of FIG. 5

Fig. 6 is the rear view of the arrangement of Fig. 5; 7 shows the view of the ready-to-use water dispenser

8 shows an exemplary embodiment with a water dispenser-mounted frame. FIG. 9 details

Fig. 10 shows an embodiment with a base-mounted advertising medium

Fig. 11 shows a further variant of an inventive

Arrangement Fig. 12 details of an embodiment provided with a base

According to FIG. 1, in a first variant of the invention, a water dispenser 1, generally designated 1, is provided on its front side with two water outlets 2a, 2b arranged next to one another, below which a drip tray 3 is located at a distance sufficient to accommodate one Hold the drinking vessel under the water outlet taps 2. The water outlet taps and the drip tray are provided in a recess 4 of the generally cylindrical housing of the water dispenser 1.

The water dispenser 1 has on its rear side a compressor 5, to which a heat exchanger 6 is assigned and which is arranged internally for cooling the water to be discharged from the water outlets 2a, which is removed from a storage vessel 7. In this respect, the water dispenser is conventional.

According to the invention, a frame 8 is now provided which has approximately the same height as the water dispenser housing 1 and at the height of the recess 4 has an operating window 9 which is sufficient to be able to operate the taps 2 and the drip tray 3.

The frame 8 is self-standing and, according to FIG. 3, consists of two sheets of flexible material, a front sheet 10a, which is transparent, and a rear sheet 10b, which is also transparent in the exemplary embodiment shown. The front and rear flexible sheets 10a, 10b are welded together at the side edges 11a, 11b and at the lower edge 11c. There is no connection of the two flexible arches 10a, 10b at the upper edge lld. In the area of the window 9, the two arches are firmly and watertightly connected to one another by welding. The connection of the two arches also extends above and below the window, as indicated by the dashed lines 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. Several chambers are formed namely, a left-hand chamber 13a accessible from above, which extends over the entire water dispenser height, a middle chamber 13b, which extends from the upper edge of the frame 8 to the upper edge of the window cutout 9, and a right-hand chamber 13c, which extends from above is accessible. Another chamber 13d below the window 9 is closed on all sides. The spacing of the two foils 10a, 10b during welding is selected so that an advertising poster made of solid paper or the like can be inserted into the chambers 13 without problems.

According to FIG. 4, the frame shown in FIG. 3 is bent around the water dispenser 1 and engages there in two U-shaped profiles 14, each of which has a leg 14a attached to the water dispenser.

According to Figures 2 and 4, the U-shaped profiles are attached laterally on both sides of the frame exchanger, the opening of the U facing away from the cooling unit.

The invention is used as follows

First of all, a conventional water dispenser 1 is provided with the profiles 14, which are screwed into the housing wall with suitable screws or the like, in accordance with the orientation as can be seen in FIG. 4.

Then a frame 8 is delivered flat and thus space-saving. This is then inserted by inserting advertising posters and, if necessary, additional information to be displayed. prepared in pockets 13 to 13c for installation. Now it is placed approximately in the middle in front of the water dispenser and then bent around it until the two edges 11a, 11b penetrate into the U-shaped profiles 14. The bending of the frame 8 gives it stability, so that it stands stable despite the thin films. If it is pushed to the side, it can yield slightly without the risk that the much more expensive water dispenser will be damaged and / or immediately be moved from its place.

Now a water reservoir 7 can be attached in a known manner and the compressor 5 of the water dispenser 1 can be put into operation. The heat generated is easily removed via the heat exchanger 6 without the heat dissipation being hindered by the frame.

If a user now wants to take water out of one of the water outlets 2a, 2b, he can easily reach through the window 9 and operate the water outlets 2a and / or 2b as desired in order to take out cooled or uncooled water. There is no risk that the advertising posters will get wet due to dripping water. Rather, it is ensured that the user perceives the posters that are directly adjacent to the operating window well. When the particular promotion is complete, the posters can be easily exchanged.

Other than illustrated, it is possible to make the compound of the ^'frame bows also by gluing, etc.. The chamber it can also remain below the water outlet, for example towards the floor, to allow assembly.

Another variant of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

According to FIG. 5, a frame 20, generally designated 20, for an advertising medium is formed around the water dispenser 21 from struts 22, which are partially connected to one another at the bottom, as indicated by reference number 23, in order to provide increased stability.

The struts extend to the level of the water dispenser housing shoulder 24, at which the generally cylindrical, vertical water dispenser housing wall tapers into the receiving opening for the neck of the attached supply bottle 25, which is tapered. Above the water dispenser housing shoulder is provided an end plate provided with a central opening for the water bottle 25, which serves to stabilize and protect the struts.

Hinged wings 26a, 26b, 26c are hinged to the struts 22 and are curved in accordance with the outer shape of the curved water dispenser housing 20. The hinges are described in more detail below. There are three wings, which each extend over the entire height of the struts in the preferred case shown; A through opening 27 for actuating the water outlet 28 is provided in the middle wing. The Passage opening is chosen so large that the operation of the water outlet 28 is not impaired and can easily be accessed on a drip tray attached to the water dispenser. The side wings extend to the heat exchanger 29 of the refrigeration compressor, but not in front of it, cf. Fig. 6.

The wings 26 are now formed from a bendable plastic film 26a, on which a U-shaped metal rail 26b encompassing the edge is suitably placed on the vertical edges. As preferred, the horizontal edges are also shown as reinforced with metal rails.

The metal rails 26b are arranged in round recesses 22a of the struts 22 and can be pivoted back and forth therein. Arranged behind the round recesses 22a of the struts 22 are magnets 22b, the strength of which is sufficient to attract the soft-magnetic metal of the metal rails 26b and thus to hold the wing in its generally vertical position. This forms the hinges. On the side facing away from the hinge, magnets are now also provided as locks on the struts, and handle buttons or the like are preferably arranged on the metal rails to facilitate opening.

The plastic is selected so that paper can remain attached to it in the long term by electrostatic adhesion or by means of removable, double-sided adhesive strips. To change the advertising medium, all you have to do is open the wing, remove the paper with the old advertising medium, put on a new one and close the wing again.

It should be mentioned that it is possible to provide a wing design in which a metal back is provided, in front of which a plastic cover is held from a plastic film, instead of wing formation with sufficient stability. It is also possible to provide a continuous body, which surrounds the housing and against which the wings rest, instead of individual struts to which the wings are attached. Although this increases the cost of materials, it also increases stability and gives the impression of particularly high quality.

According to FIG. 8, in a further variant according to the invention it is provided that two spaced-apart recesses 32 are made in the housing shoulder 30 of the water dispenser housing 31, into which pins 33 of a frame 34 penetrate.

The frame is formed from a solid rear wall made of metal, to which a plastic film 34b is attached via a hinge. The plastic film 34b is encircled with U-shaped metal rails as described above and the hinges are also formed as described above. Again there is a magnetic lock and an opening handle 34c is provided. The water dispenser 31 is placed on a base 35 serving as a base, which has a larger base area than the water dispenser housing. The base has a grille that is stable enough to carry an adult person with a full bottle in addition to the water dispenser housing and a drawer underneath that is filled with absorbent material; Details can be found in FIG. 12, where a corresponding base is shown.

The frame is assembled as described above. The arrangement of the water dispenser on the base optimizes the viewing angle on the one hand and on the other hand ensures that drips of spilled water are well absorbed, which offers safety advantages in particular on stone floors and the like.

While a frame mounted above the water outlet on the housing is shown in FIG. 8, which requires the provision of recesses in the water dispenser housing, in FIG. 10 a frame attachment via struts on the base is made possible, which allows the use of unchanged water dispensers.

FIG. 11 shows a further variant in which a water dispenser together with the bottle is completely accommodated in a hollow cylinder, its front front being left free for access to the water outlet opening and for changing the water bottle. The hollow cylinder is in turn provided with a drip-water-absorbing base with a grille cover. Even per se delicate water dispenser housings achieve the advertising-effective size of conventional poster columns.

Claims

claims

1. Water dispenser with a water outlet and at least one advertising space support means assigned to the housing, characterized in that a water dispenser part, at least partially surrounding removable frame, is provided as the advertising space support means, which defines at least one advertising space, spaced from the water outlet

Has edges and leaves the water outlet at least open through the window.

2. Water dispenser according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a cooling unit with associated grille is provided on the water dispenser and the frame edges are spaced therefrom.

3. Water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame at least partially surrounds the housing shell, in particular at least 2/3 of the housing shell.

4. Water dispenser according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the water dispenser is designed as a standing device and the frame is self-supporting.

5. Water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame is fixed to the housing of the water dispenser.

6. Water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that U-profiles are provided for fixing the frame edge holder.

7. Water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leg length of the U-profiles is dimensioned to fix the frame edges of the curved frame.

8. Water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame is formed from and / or with flexible material.

9. Water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame is formed from two sheets of flexible material which are firmly connected to one another.

10. Water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection in the water outlet area is tight.

11. Water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer layer is made of transparent material, in particular plastic.

± 2. Water dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that an in particular metallic frame is provided, which has hinged wings on which an advertising medium can be held interchangeably.

13. Water dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the hinged wings extend over a substantial part of the water dispenser height.

14. Water dispenser according to one of claims 1, 3, 5 or 8, characterized in that the frame is arranged as an advertising medium attached to the water dispenser, which is arranged in particular in front of a water supply and in particular is provided on a water dispenser shoulder.

15. Water dispenser according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the frame has a hinged hinged door.

16 .. Water dispenser according to, one of the preceding claims 1 or 4, characterized in that the frame is formed as an advertising medium fixed to the water dispenser, with an advertising surface provided in particular above the water supply.

17. Water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame forms a recess receiving the water dispenser, the recess opening in particular being so large that not only the water outlet can be operated through it, but also the water dispenser as a whole and / or a water bottle to be exchanged must also be carried.

18. Water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water dispenser base is provided in order to raise the frame having the advertising space.

19. Water dispenser according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the base with a removable

Drip water container is provided.

20. Retrofit kit for converting a water dispenser to a water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims.

21. Frame for a water dispenser according to one of the preceding claims.