Thermoelectric beverage cooler

P-0001[0001] The application claims the benefit of copending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/325,484, filed Sep. 26, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

P-0002[0002] This invention relates generally to improvements in devices and systems for chilling a selected beverage such as water or the like. More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in a beverage or water cooler of the type equipped with a compact thermoelectric heat transfer module for quietly and efficiently chilling the liquid contained within a cooler reservoir.

P-0003[0003] Water coolers are well known in the art for containing a supply of a selected beverage such as relatively purified water in a convenient manner and location ready for substantially immediate dispensing and use. Such water coolers commonly include an upwardly open reservoir adapted to receive and support a water bottle of typically three to five gallon capacity in an inverted orientation such that bottled water may flow downwardly into the cooler reservoir. A faucet or spigot on the front of a cooler housing is operable at any time for on-demand dispensing of the water in selected amounts. Such bottled water coolers are widely used to provide a clean and safe source of drinking water, especially in areas wherein the local water supply may or is suspected to contain undesired levels of contaminants. In one alternative configuration, the upper end of the cooler reservoir is normally closed by a lid which can be opened as needed for periodically replenishing the reservoir water by pour-in addition of water thereto. In other known alternative water cooler designs, the cooler reservoir is replenished by connection to a water supply line, and may include water filtration and/or purification means such as a reverse osmosis unit for purifying water supplied to the cooler reservoir.

P-0004[0004] In many water coolers of the type described above, it is desirable to chill or refrigerate the water or other beverage within the cooler reservoir to a relatively low, refreshing temperature. However, refrigeration equipment for such water coolers has typically comprised conventional compressor-type mechanical refrigeration systems which undesirably increase the overall cost, complexity, size, operational noise level, and power consumption requirements of the water cooler. Alternative cooling system proposals have suggested the use of relatively compact and quiet thermoelectric heat transfer modules, such as the systems shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,072,590; 6,003,318; and 6,119,462. In such proposals, a thermoelectric module is mounted with a cold side thereof disposed in heat transfer relation with water in the cooler reservoir, and a hot side associated with a heat sink for dissipating heat drawn from the water. A cooling fan is normally provided to circulate air over the heat sink for improved heat transfer efficiency.

P-0005[0005] In such thermoelectric chiller systems, the thermoelectric heat transfer module is normally sandwiched in clamped relation between a chiller probe or other cold surface structure disposed in heat transfer relation with the beverage or water to be chilled, and a fin-type heat sink for dissipating the collected heat energy. However, during normal operation, the heat transfer module is exposed to significant thermal cycling with resultant expansion and contraction which can reduce the clamping force applied thereto and correspondingly reduce the thermal coupling efficiency with respect to the chiller probe and heat sink.

P-0006[0006] The present invention provides an improved thermoelectric beverage cooler including an improved mounting arrangement for supporting a thermoelectric heat transfer module with substantially uniform pressure distribution between a chiller probe and a heat sink.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

P-0007[0007] In accordance with the invention, a beverage cooler is provided with an improved thermoelectric chiller unit for chilling a supply of water or other selected beverage within a cooler reservoir. The improved thermoelectric chiller unit includes a thermoelectric heat transfer module captured by a spring mount with substantially uniform pressure distribution between a chiller probe for chilling the water within the cooler reservoir, and a heat exchanger or heat sink for dissipating heat drawn from the chilled water.

P-0008[0008] In the preferred form, the thermoelectric heat transfer module comprises a solid state chip having semiconductor materials with dissimilar characteristics (P-type and N-type materials) connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel, such as the heat transfer module available from Borg-Warner Corporation under model designation 920-31. This heat transfer module is sandwiched between a chiller probe and a heat sink, both formed from a selected material having relatively high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or the like. Fasteners such as a pair of screws are provided to interconnect the chiller probe and heat sink, with the thermoelectric heat transfer module sandwiched in clamped relation therebetween. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the fasteners are passed through the opposite ends of an elongated spring strip having a central resilient spring segment extending toward and bearing against one of the clamping structures, such as the heat sink in the preferred form of the invention. This spring strip uniformly maintains the components in tightly clamped relation, while substantially uniformly distributing the clamping forces across the surface area of the thermoelectric heat transfer module to reduce or eliminate undesirable module cracking during use.

P-0009[0009] In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the cooler reservoir has an inverted and generally cup-shaped receptacle formed in a bottom wall thereof for close slide-fit reception of the chiller probe when the reservoir is installed into a cooler housing. An upwardly open insulation shell is provided within the cooler housing for nested reception of the cooler reservoir to insulate the reservoir contents. A faucet is mounted on a front side of the reservoir for use in dispensing the reservoir contents, wherein this faucet is exposed for access at a front side of a cooler housing through aligned gaps formed in the cooler housing and the insulation shell. The reservoir with faucet thereon is removable as a unit from the cooler housing.

P-0010[0010] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

P-0011[0011] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

P-0012[0012]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a thermoelectric beverage cooler embodying the novel features of the invention;

P-0013[0013]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the beverage cooler;

P-0014[0014]FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken generally on the line <b>3</b>-<b>3</b> of FIG. 1;

P-0015[0015]FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken generally on the line <b>4</b>-<b>4</b> of FIG. 2;

P-0016[0016]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing assembly of a lower portion of the beverage cooler;

P-0017[0017]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating assembly of a removable beverage reservoir with a cooler housing and associated insulation;

P-0018[0018]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view depicting assembly of an exemplary lid and filter with the removable reservoir;

P-0019[0019]FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing assembly of a thermoelectric chiller unit;

P-0020[0020]FIG. 9 is a top perspective view showing the thermoelectric chiller unit in assembled form;

P-0021[0021]FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the thermoelectric chiller unit in assembled form;

P-0022[0022]FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken generally on the line <b>11</b>-<b>11</b> of FIG. 9;

P-0023[0023]FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the thermoelectric chiller unit mounted on a housing base frame, and including light means;

P-0024[0024]FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmented perspective view corresponding with the encircled region <b>13</b> of FIG. 4; and

P-0025[0025]FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmented perspective view corresponding with the encircled region <b>14</b> of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

P-0026[0026] As shown in the exemplary drawings, a beverage cooler referred to generally by the reference numeral <b>10</b> in FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>4</b> includes a thermoelectric heat transfer module <b>12</b> (FIGS. <b>3</b>-<b>4</b>) for chilling a selected beverage such as water or the like within a cooler reservoir <b>14</b>. The thermoelectric heat transfer module <b>12</b> is provided as part of a relatively compact thermoelectric chiller unit or subassembly <b>16</b> (FIGS. 5 and 8-<b>11</b>) adapted for quick and easy mounting within a housing <b>18</b> for the cooler <b>10</b>. In addition, the cooler reservoir <b>14</b> has a faucet <b>20</b> mounted thereon and exposed at a front side of the cooler housing <b>18</b> for on-demand dispensing of the reservoir contents. This reservoir <b>14</b> including the faucet <b>20</b> is quickly and easily removable as a unit from the cooler housing.

P-0027[0027] The beverage cooler <b>10</b> depicted in the illustrative drawings comprises a countertop type cooler having the housing <b>18</b> of compact size and shape suitable for placement onto a countertop (not shown). As viewed generally in FIGS. 1, 2 and <b>6</b>, the housing <b>18</b> has a generally rectangular or square-shaped base footprint which extends upwardly from a lower edge to define a front wall <b>22</b>, a rear wall <b>24</b>, and a pair of side walls <b>26</b> joined therebetween. These housing walls <b>22</b>, <b>24</b> and <b>26</b> are shown to curve and converge slightly inwardly from bottom to top, and collectively define a contoured upper edge <b>27</b> designed for seated and stable support of an upper bowl-shaped portion <b>28</b> of the beverage reservoir <b>14</b>. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and <b>7</b>, this upper bowl-shaped reservoir portion <b>28</b> is formed at the upper extent of a generally cylindrical lower reservoir portion <b>30</b> having a closed bottom wall <b>32</b> interrupted by a centrally formed upwardly extending receptacle <b>34</b> of generally inverted cup-shaped configuration (FIGS. 3 and 4).

P-0028[0028] The reservoir <b>14</b> is designed for removable mounting into the upwardly open housing <b>18</b>, with the receptacle <b>34</b> in the reservoir bottom wall <b>32</b> mounted over an upwardly extending chiller probe <b>36</b> forming a portion of the thermoelectric chiller unit <b>16</b> whereby the chiller probe <b>36</b> is in thermal communication with the reservoir contents as will be described in more detail. In this regard, the thermoelectric chiller unit <b>16</b> generally comprises a pre-assembled unit installed within the cooler housing at a lower or bottom end thereof. As shown best in FIG. 5, the thermoelectric chiller unit <b>16</b> is mounted in overlying relation to a fan unit <b>38</b>, which is in turn mounted over a removable filter tray <b>40</b>.

P-0029[0029] More particularly, FIG. 5 illustrates a lower base frame <b>42</b> having a size and shape for mounting within a lower region of the cooler housing <b>18</b> by means of screws (not shown) or the like. This base frame <b>42</b> includes four downwardly protruding feet <b>44</b> disposed at the four corners of the housing footprint, wherein cushioned pads <b>46</b> may be conveniently mounted to the bottoms of these feet <b>44</b>. A lower slot <b>48</b> (FIG. 4) is defined at the underside of the base frame <b>42</b> for lateral slide-fit removable mounting of the filter tray <b>40</b> having a selected porous filter media <b>50</b> (FIG. 5) carried thereon. This filter tray <b>40</b> is removably mounted from the rear wall <b>24</b> of the cooler housing <b>18</b> (FIG. 2) in a manner shown and described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,318, which is incorporated by reference herein.

P-0030[0030] The fan unit <b>38</b> comprises a compact and generally pancake-shaped fan housing <b>52</b> with a low profile drive motor <b>54</b> and related fan impeller <b>56</b> mounted therein (FIGS. <b>3</b>-<b>5</b>). The fan unit <b>38</b> is mounted onto the upper side of the base frame <b>42</b> by means of screws (not shown) or the like in a position between a pair of upwardly extending frame ribs <b>58</b> and overlying an air inlet port <b>60</b> formed centrally in the base frame <b>42</b> (FIG. 5). In operation, the fan impeller <b>56</b> draws ambient air from beneath the base frame <b>42</b> upwardly through the filter media <b>50</b> and further through the air inlet port <b>60</b> into heat transfer relation with the thermoelectric chiller unit <b>16</b>, as will be described. This cooling air flow is conveniently exhausted from the cooler housing <b>18</b> via air vents <b>62</b> formed in the housing side walls <b>26</b> near the lower ends thereof (FIG. 2).

P-0031[0031] The base frame <b>42</b> may also support an indicator light system for providing a visual indication that the filter media <b>50</b> on the filter tray <b>40</b> needs to be cleaned or changed to maintain optimum air flow circulation. In this regard, a filter indicator light <b>140</b> (FIGS. 1, 3 and <b>5</b>) is mounted for viewing through a small port formed in the housing front wall <b>22</b>. In a preferred form, this filter light <b>140</b> is associated with a switch <b>142</b> (FIG. 5) which responds to slide-in insertion placement of the filter tray <b>40</b> to initiate a clock (which may be incorporated into a controller <b>92</b>, as will be described in more detail) for energizing the filter light <b>140</b> at the conclusion of a predetermined time interval, such as about 30 days. The specific construction and operation of this filter change indicator light system is shown and described in more detail in copending Provisional Appln. No. 60/282,362, filed Apr. 7, 2001, and the related Ser. No. 10/114,861, filed Apr. 2, 2002, which are incorporated by reference herein.

P-0032[0032] The thermoelectric chiller unit <b>16</b> is installed onto the base frame <b>42</b> by screws <b>64</b> (FIG. 3) or the like in a position directly overlying the fan unit <b>38</b>. As shown best in FIGS. 5 and 8-<b>11</b>, the chiller unit <b>16</b> comprises the thermoelectric heat transfer module <b>12</b> clamped in sandwiched relation between the overlying chiller probe <b>36</b> and an underlying heat exchanger or heat sink <b>66</b>. This thermoelectric heat transfer module <b>12</b> comprises a relatively thin and generally flat-sided structure designed for transferring heat energy from a cold side to a hot side thereof, or vice versa, depending upon the polarity of a dc electrical signal connected thereto via a pair of conductors <b>67</b> (FIG. 8). One such heat transfer module is available form Borg-Warner Corporation under model designation 920-31, and employs semiconductor materials with dissimilar characteristics (P-type and N-type materials) connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel. In accordance with one primary aspect of the invention, the heat transfer module <b>12</b> is clamped with substantially uniform distribution of clamping forces by means of a spring mount including an elongated spring clip or strip <b>68</b> and a pair of fasteners <b>70</b> such as screws.

P-0033[0033] More specifically, FIG. 8 shows the heat sink <b>66</b> to include a generally planar backing plate <b>72</b> joined to an array of downwardly projecting heat dissipation fins <b>74</b> disposed to present an extended heat transfer surface area exposed to the cooling air flow circulation produced through the lower region of the housing <b>18</b> by the fan unit <b>38</b>. These fins <b>74</b> are interrupted by a transversely extending and downwardly open slot <b>76</b>. The spring clip <b>68</b> has a size and shape to fit into this slot <b>76</b>, with a central spring segment <b>78</b> offset from the strip plane and protruding upwardly from a central region of the spring strip <b>68</b> in a direction toward the underside of the heat sink backing plate <b>72</b> for bearing engagement therewith. The fasteners <b>70</b> are passed upwardly through the opposite ends of the spring strip <b>68</b>, and further upwardly through a pair of ports <b>80</b> formed in the backing plate <b>72</b> on opposite sides of the thermoelectric module <b>12</b>.

P-0034[0034] The fasteners <b>70</b> are threadably engaged into a corresponding pair of threaded bores <b>82</b> formed in a pair of outwardly radiating wings <b>84</b> at a base or lower end of the chiller probe <b>36</b>. In this regard, FIGS. 5 and 8-<b>11</b> show the winged base of the chiller probe <b>36</b> seated within an upwardly open and matingly shaped pocket <b>86</b> formed in a mounting collar <b>88</b> of thermal insulation material. This collar <b>88</b> has a generally cylindrical shape, including a generally rectangular internal passage <b>90</b> for matingly receiving and positioning the thermoelectric module <b>12</b> (FIG. 11). The mounting collar <b>88</b> is seated on the upper side of the heat sink backing plate <b>72</b> by means of the fasteners <b>70</b>, with a tab <b>89</b> upstanding on the backing plate <b>72</b> and received into a mating channel <b>91</b> (FIG. 8) for rotationally setting the collar <b>88</b> and the associated chiller probe <b>36</b> relative to the heat sink <b>66</b>.

P-0035[0035] With this construction, the thermoelectric heat transfer module <b>12</b> is clamped in stacked relation between an upper side of the heat sink backing plate <b>72</b>, and a lower side of the chiller probe <b>36</b>. This clamping action is achieved by advancing the fasteners <b>70</b> through the opposite ends of the spring clip <b>68</b>, with the central spring segment <b>78</b> bearing against the underside of the heat sink backing plate <b>72</b>. As shown best in FIG. 11, this causes the opposite ends of the spring clip <b>68</b> to springably deform toward the backing plate, for purposes of drawing the chiller probe <b>36</b> downward into tightly clamped relation with the module <b>12</b>. Importantly, this spring mount arrangement applies substantially uniformly distributed clamping forces to the module <b>12</b>, irrespective of nonuniform relative advancement of the two fasteners <b>70</b>. The presence of such uniformly distributed clamping forces beneficially reduces or eliminates thermal-induced cracking and resultant failure module <b>12</b>, and additionally maintains and assures efficient thermal contact between the sandwiched components by eliminating air gaps between the module <b>12</b> and the overlying chiller probe base <b>84</b> and the underlying heat sink backing plate <b>72</b>.

P-0036[0036] The heat sink <b>66</b> and the chiller probe <b>36</b> are formed from materials selected for relatively high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or the like. With this construction, and by appropriately connecting a dc signal to the thermoelectric heat transfer module <b>12</b>, the module functions to draw or extract thermal energy from the chiller probe <b>36</b> at the module cold side and to transfer the extracted heat energy to the heat sink <b>66</b> at the module hot side. The controller <b>92</b> (FIG. 5) is mounted onto the base frame <b>42</b> for appropriately supplying this dc signal to the module <b>12</b>, as well as providing and regulating electrical power to other cooler components, as previously described. When the chiller probe <b>36</b> is in thermal communication with the reservoir in contact with the inverted cup-shaped receptacle <b>34</b> which is in turn in contact with the reservoir contents, the chiller unit <b>16</b> thus operates to chill the beverage within the reservoir <b>14</b> to a pleasing and refreshing temperature.

P-0037[0037] As previously described, the reservoir <b>14</b> is configured for seated reception into the cooler housing <b>18</b>, with the bottom wall receptacle <b>34</b> fitted over the upstanding chiller probe <b>36</b> of the thermoelectric chiller unit <b>16</b>. In this position, the chiller probe <b>36</b> is in thermal communication with the beverage contained within the reservoir to chill the reservoir contents. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and <b>6</b>, the lower portion <b>30</b> of the reservoir <b>14</b> is nestably seated within the housing <b>18</b>, and an insulation shell <b>93</b> formed from a selected insulative material such as stryofoam or the like is slidably fitted upwardly into the housing <b>18</b> interior prior to installation of the lower base frame <b>42</b>. As shown, this insulation shell <b>93</b> conveniently rests upon the upstanding frame ribs <b>58</b>, and has a central opening <b>94</b> in a bottom wall thereof for slide-fit reception of the mounting collar <b>88</b> of the chiller unit <b>16</b>.

P-0038[0038] An upwardly open central gap <b>96</b> is formed in the front wall <b>22</b> of the cooler housing <b>18</b>, in alignment with a correspondingly shaped central gap <b>98</b> formed in the insulation shell <b>93</b>, as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 5-<b>7</b>. These gaps <b>96</b>, <b>98</b> in the housing structure accommodate passage of a dispense conduit <b>100</b> having an inboard end suitably connected to the reservoir lower portion <b>30</b>, and an outboard end carrying the dispensing faucet <b>20</b>. A trim panel <b>101</b> is carried on the dispense conduit <b>100</b> for visually closing the gap <b>96</b> in the housing <b>18</b>. Appropriate manipulation of a spring-loaded faucet handle <b>102</b> results in dispensing of the chilled reservoir contents. In this regard, the inboard end of the dispense conduit <b>100</b> may be coupled to a short dip tube <b>104</b> which extends downwardly to a point near the bottom wall <b>32</b> of the reservoir <b>14</b>. With this construction, the dispensed beverage comprises a portion of the reservoir contents disposed at or near the chiller probe <b>36</b> for optimal chilling prior to dispensing. An internal baffle disk <b>106</b> (FIGS. <b>3</b>-<b>4</b> and <b>7</b>) having a central aperture <b>108</b> therein may also be provided to subdivide the reservoir interior into a chilled lower chamber <b>110</b> (FIGS. <b>3</b>-<b>4</b>) and an unchilled upper chamber <b>112</b>, so that the refrigeration capacity of the chiller unit <b>16</b> is focused upon a portion of the reservoir contents (within the lower chamber <b>110</b>) for substantially optimized beverage chilling prior to individual dispense events. In addition, the chiller unit <b>16</b> can be regulated by the controller <b>92</b> for producing an ice block (not shown) surrounding the receptacle <b>34</b> within the lower chamber <b>110</b> for optimized beverage chilling.

P-0039[0039] An upper rim <b>114</b> (FIG. 7) of the reservoir bowl portion <b>28</b> carries a removably mounted cap <b>116</b> (FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>4</b> and <b>7</b>), which preferably includes a peripheral seal engageable with the reservoir rim <b>114</b>. This cap <b>116</b> in turn includes a central lid <b>118</b> mounted thereto by a pivot pin <b>120</b> or the like for pivoting movement between open and closed positions. A seal may also be provided at the periphery of this lid <b>118</b> for engaging the cap <b>116</b> in the closed position. With this sealed cap and lid configuration, an air filter <b>124</b> is also mounted on the cap <b>116</b> for filtering air drawn into the reservoir interior in response to beverage dispensing. When beverage replenishment is desired, the lid <b>118</b> can be pivoted upwardly to an open position to permit an additional quantity of the selected beverage to be poured into the reservoir interior.

P-0040[0040] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the reservoir <b>14</b> with the faucet <b>20</b> mounted thereon is removable as a unit from the cooler housing <b>18</b>. In this regard, the bowl-shaped upper portion <b>28</b> of the reservoir <b>14</b> conveniently includes externally accessible, indented hand grips <b>126</b> for facilitated manual grasping upon lift-out removal of the reservoir <b>14</b> from the cooler housing. Since the faucet <b>20</b> remains on the reservoir upon such removal, it is not necessary to drain the contents of the reservoir prior to removal for cleaning or the like. The reservoir <b>14</b> is quickly and easily re-installed into the housing <b>18</b> by simple drop-in, slide-fit placement with the chiller probe <b>36</b> seated into the receptacle <b>34</b> at the underside of the reservoir.

P-0041[0041] To prevent or minimize frost accumulation about the reservoir, a raised seal ring <b>128</b> (FIG. 14) may be provided on an interior wall <b>19</b> of the housing <b>18</b> for engaging the exterior of the reservoir lower portion <b>30</b> near the upper margin thereof when the reservoir is installed therein. This seal ring <b>128</b> minimizes or prevents ingress of moisture-laden air into the any incremental space between the exterior surfaces of the reservoir portion <b>30</b> and the interior surfaces of the housing wall <b>19</b> engaged therewith. An additional seal ring <b>129</b> (FIG. 13) may also be provided generally at the base of the receptacle <b>34</b> for engaging the chiller probe <b>36</b> near the lower end thereof to minimize or eliminate air ingress into any residual space between the receptacle and the upstanding chiller probe <b>36</b>, in the manner disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,951, which is incorporated by reference herein. Alternately, it will be recognized and appreciated that the seal ring <b>128</b> can be formed on the reservoir <b>14</b> for engaging the internal housing wall <b>19</b>, and that the seal ring <b>129</b> can be formed on the chiller probe <b>36</b> for engaging the interior surface of the receptacle <b>34</b>, if desired.

P-0042[0042] Lighting means may also be provided to produce an enhanced cooler appearance, particularly at night or low light level conditions. FIG. 12 shows the thermoelectric chiller unit <b>16</b> mounted on the housing base frame <b>42</b>, with a pair of LED lights <b>130</b> fitted into shallow cavities <b>132</b> formed within each of the frame feet <b>44</b> at the front corners of the cooler housing. These lights <b>130</b> are positioned behind translucent or transparent foot panels <b>134</b> exposed through recesses <b>136</b> (FIG. 6) at the housing corners, when the housing <b>18</b> is assembled with the base frame <b>42</b>. An additional light <b>138</b>, such as an LED light or light pipe, may also be provided at an upper end of a vertically elongated support post <b>139</b> (FIG. 12) or the like, to position the additional light <b>138</b> (FIG. 1) behind the trim panel <b>101</b> of translucent or transparent construction. These lights <b>130</b> and <b>138</b> provide externally visible illumination through the associated overlying translucent or transparent panels to provide an attractive cooler appearance, and further to provide sufficient light for facilitated night-time cooler operation.

P-0043[0043] A variety of further modifications and improvements in and to the thermoelectric beverage cooler of the present invention will be apparent to those persons skilled in the art. By way of example, it will be recognized and appreciated that alternative reservoir configurations may be used for supporting an inverted water supply bottle of the type and manner of a conventional bottled water cooler. It will also be recognized and understood that the reservoir cap structure may incorporate a filter element for filtering contaminants from a selected beverage such as water poured into the reservoir. Accordingly, no limitation on the invention is intended by way of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, except as set forth in the appended claims.