Drain Cup Assembly for an Ice, Water and/or Beverage Dispenser System

Abstract

A drain cup assembly comprising a drain cup cap and a drain cup are provided, adapted for mating engagement with each other, whereby a plurality of water discharge conduits ma deliver water into the drain cup through the drain cup cap, with cup sidewalls able to deflect water droplets having a lateral component of direction, toward the center of the cup and with lower ends of the conduits being spaced above a maximum overflow discharge level in the drain cup, for, in the event of overflow, water can be discharged via one or more overflow discharge openings around the upper end of the cup at the overflow discharge level, and wherein an air gap isolates drain water in the drain cup from water entering the drain cup from one or more water discharge conduits.

What is claimed is; 
     
         1 . In an ice, water or beverage dispenser system, wherein water is discharged therefrom via a water drain line, from any of an ice making apparatus, a water delivery apparatus, an ice storage bin, a tray under an ice or water dispenser and/or from condensation, via at least one water discharge conduit:
 (a) a drain cup assembly for receiving discharged water from the at least one water discharge conduit;   (b) the drain cup assembly comprising a drain cup and a drain cup car;   (c) the drain cup having an upper end and a lower end and sidewall(s); the upper end of the drain cup having a periphery adapted for mating engagement with a periphery of a drain cup cap; the lower end of the drain cup having a water drain line;   (d) the drain cup cap having a lower periphery adapted for making engagement with the drain cup and having a top wall and sidewall(s);   (e) at least one access port in the top wall of the drain cup cap; said at least one access port extending into the cap and connected to a water discharge conduit of the system; and   (f) with the sidewall(s) of any of the drain cup and drain cup cap comprising means whereby water from the at least one water discharge conduit having a lateral component of direction can impinge upon any said sidewall(s) for deflection toward a center of the drain cup.   
     
     
         2 . The drain cup assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one access port terminates within the cap at a predetermined distance above an overflow discharge level in the drain cup, with the overflow discharge level including at least one overflow discharge opening around an upper end of the drain cup; and with said predetermined distance comprising an air gap means isolating drain water in the drain cup from water in said at least one water discharge conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The drain cup assembly of  claim 1 , wherein there are at least 2 access ports in the drain cup cap, connected to two water discharge conduits of the system. 
     
     
         4 . The drain cup assembly of  claim 1 , wherein there are at least 3 access ports in the drain cup cap, connected to three water discharge conduits of the system. 
     
     
         5 . The drain cup assembly or  claim 1 , wherein there are a plurality of overflow discharge openings at a plurality of locations around the periphery of an upper end of the drain cup. 
     
     
         6 . The drain cup assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one access port includes a tubular sleeve in engagement about a water discharge conduit; said tubular sleeve extending beneath the top wall of the drain cup cap. 
     
     
         7 . The drain cup assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one access port includes a plurality of access ports, each including a tubular sleeve in engagement about a water discharge conduit; each said tubular sleeve extending beneath the top wall of the drain cup cap. 
     
     
         8 . The drain cup assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said drain cup and said drain cup cap are each comprised of a molded thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The drain cup assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of water discharge conduits, each in engagement with an access port in the top wall of the drain cup cap. 
     
     
         10 . The drain cup assembly of  claim 2 , wherein there are a plurality of overflow discharge openings at a plurality of locations around the periphery of an upper end of the drain cup; and wherein said at least one access port includes a tubular sleeve in engagement about a water discharge conduit; said tubular sleeve extending beneath the top wall of the drain cup cap, wherein there are a plurality of water discharge conduits, each in engagement with an access port in the top wall of the drain cup cap. 
     
     
         11 . The drain cup assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a lower portion of the drain cup is tapered toward said water drain line.