Docking station for a beverage dispenser having a reservoir
A docking station for a beverage dispenser having a reservoir is provided. The docking station includes an inlet conduit that extends from a pressurized water source to a spout of the docking station. A removable water filter is coupled to the inlet conduit in order to filter the flow of water through the inlet conduit.
1. A docking station for a beverage dispenser having a reservoir, comprising:
a base having a tower and a projection extending from the tower, the projection configured to be positioned over the reservoir of the beverage dispenser;
a spout mounted to the base, the spout configured for selectively directing a flow of water into the reservoir of the beverage dispenser, the spout positioned on the projection;
an inlet conduit extending to the spout within the base, the inlet conduit configured for connecting to a pressurized water supply in order to direct the flow of water to the spout from the pressurized water supply;
a valve coupled to the inlet conduit, the valve configured for regulating the flow of water through the inlet conduit to the spout; and
a removable water filter positioned within the base and coupled to the inlet conduit in order to filter the flow of water through the inlet conduit.
2. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein the base includes a flexible neck that extends between the tower of the base and the projection of the base in order to pivotally couple the projection to the tower.
3. The docking station of claim 1 , further comprising a water level sensor mounted to the base and a controller, the water level sensor configured for assessing a level of water within the reservoir of the beverage dispenser, the controller in operative communication with the valve and the water level sensor, the controller configured for receiving a signal from the water level sensor when level of water within the reservoir of the beverage dispenser is less than a threshold level and for opening the valve in order to direct the flow of water into the reservoir via the spout after receiving the signal from the water level sensor.
4. The docking station of claim 3 , wherein the water level sensor is an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an acoustic sensor or a pressure sensor.
5. The docking station of claim 3 , wherein the controller is not in operative communication with any component of the beverage dispenser and the controller does not receive any command signals from the beverage dispenser.
6. The docking station of claim 1 , further comprising an additional spout mounted to the base, the additional spout configured for selectively directing an additional flow of water into a tank of another beverage dispenser or a pitcher.
7. The docking station of claim 1 , further comprising a user notification output and a controller, the controller configured for activating the user notification output when the removable water filter is expired.
8. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein the removable water filter comprises a carbon block filter medium.
9. The docking station of claim 1 , further comprising a manual fill user input mounted to the base and a controller, the controller in operative communication with the manual fill user input and the water level sensor, the controller configured for receiving a signal from the manual fill user input and for opening the valve in order to direct the flow of water into the reservoir via the spout after receiving the signal from the manual fill user input.
10. A docking station for a beverage dispenser having a reservoir, comprising:
a base;
a spout mounted to the base such that the spout is positioned for selectively directing a flow of water into the reservoir of the beverage dispenser;
an inlet conduit at least partially disposed within the base, the inlet conduit configured for extending between an external pressurized water source and the spout through the base, the inlet conduit configured for connecting to the external pressurized water supply in order to direct the flow of water to the spout from the pressurized water supply;
a valve positioned within the base, the valve coupled to the inlet conduit, the valve configured for opening and closing in order to adjust the flow of water through the inlet conduit to the spout;
a manifold mounted to the base and coupled to the inlet conduit; and
a removable water filter cartridge mounted to the manifold such that the manifold directs the flow of water into the removable water filter cartridge, the removable water filter cartridge filtering the flow of water through the inlet conduit;
a water level sensor mounted to the base, the water level sensor configured for assessing a level of water within the reservoir of the beverage dispenser; and
a controller in operative communication with the valve and the water level sensor, the controller configured for receiving a signal from the water level sensor when level of water within the reservoir of the beverage dispenser is less than a threshold level and for opening the valve in order to direct the flow of water into the reservoir via the spout after receiving the signal from the water level sensor,
wherein the controller is not in operative communication with any component of the beverage dispenser and the controller does not receive any command signals from the beverage dispenser.
11. The docking station of claim 10 , wherein the base includes a tower and a projection extending from the tower, the projection configured to be positioned over the reservoir of the beverage dispenser, the spout positioned on the projection.
12. The docking station of claim 11 , wherein the base includes a flexible neck that extends between the tower of the base and the projection of the base in order to pivotally couple the projection to the tower.
13. The docking station of claim 10 , wherein the water level sensor is an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an acoustic sensor or a pressure sensor.
14. The docking station of claim 10 , further comprising an additional spout mounted to the base, the additional spout configured for selectively directing a flow of water into a tank of another beverage dispenser or a pitcher.
15. The docking station of claim 10 , further comprising a user notification output and a controller, the controller configured for activating the user notification output when the removable water filter cartridge is expired.
16. The docking station of claim 10 , wherein the removable water filter cartridge comprises a carbon block filter medium.
17. The docking station of claim 10 , further comprising a manual fill user input mounted to the base and a controller, the controller in operative communication with the manual fill user input and the water level sensor, the controller configured for receiving a signal from the manual fill user input and for opening the valve in order to direct the flow of water into the reservoir via the spout after receiving the signal from the manual fill user input.