Water cooler abstract
A water cooler replenishing system which is designed to collect
drinking water from a conventional supply bottle and dispense the
water into a container, on top of a freestanding water cooler, and
be repeatedly refilled. The water cooler replenishing system includes
a pump having an inlet port and an outlet port. A water container
is also included which is shaped and configured to rest on a freestanding
water cooler and receive water for filling the container. A supply
tube is provided for collecting water from a conventional supply
bottle and the supply tube is connected, by fluid conduit to the
inlet port. A filler tube is provided for dispensing water into
the water container and the filler tube is connected, by fluid conduit
to the outlet port. The pump may be selectively energized to collect
water from the supply bottle and dispense the water to fill the
container.
Water cooler claims
What is claimed is:
1. A water cooler replenishing system for replenishing a freestanding
water cooler from a conventional water supply bottle, comprising:
a fluid pump, an inlet port and an outlet port; said inlet port
and said outlet port being operatively connected in fluid communication
with said pump; said pump having selective energizing means for
urging water inward from said inlet port and outward through said
outlet port; a water container having a top portion and a bottom
portion, said top portion having a first opening, for feeding water
to said water cooler; said bottom portion having a second opening
for receiving water into said container; water collecting means
disposed within said water supply bottle; said water collecting
means comprising a supply tube having proximal and distal ends,
the distal end being sized to pass into said conventional water
supply bottle, for collecting fluid therefrom; said supply tube
having first stop means, designed to prevent contact between the
distal end of said supply tube and the bottom of said water supply
bottle; a watertight fluid conduit from said water collecting means
to said inlet port; water dispensing means directed through said
second opening; said water dispensing means comprising a filler
tube having proximal and distal ends, the distal end being sized
to pass through said second opening for delivering fluid into said
water container; said filler tube having second stop means, designed
to prevent passage of said proximal end through said second opening;
a watertight fluid conduit from said outlet port to said fluid dispensing
means; whereby said water container may be inverted on said water
cooler and said pump may be energized to collect water from said
conventional water supply bottle and deliver water to said water
container for replenishing said freestanding water cooler.
2. A water cooler replenishing system for replenishing a freestanding
water cooler from a conventional water supply bottle, comprising:
a fluid pump, an inlet port and an outlet port; said inlet port
and said outlet port being operatively connected in fluid communication
with said pump; said pump having selective energizing means for
urging water inward from said inlet port and outward through said
outlet port; a water container having a top portion and a bottom
portion, said top portion having a first opening, for feeding water
to said water cooler; said bottom portion having a second opening
for receiving water into said container; water collecting means
disposed within said water supply bottle; said water collecting
means comprising a supply tube having proximal and distal ends,
the distal end being sized to pass into said conventional water
supply bottle, for collecting fluid therefrom; said supply tube
having first stop means, designed to prevent contact between the
distal end of said supply tube and the bottom of said water supply
bottle; said first stop means comprising a first transverse collar
disposed at an intermediate position, along the length of said supply
tube; a watertight fluid conduit from said water collecting means
to said inlet port; water dispensing means directed through said
second opening; said water dispensing means comprising a filler
tube having proximal and distal ends, the distal end being sized
to pass through said second opening for delivering fluid into said
water container; said filler tube having second stop means, designed
to prevent passage of said proximal end through said second opening;
said second stop means comprising a second transverse collar disposed
at an intermediate position, along the length of said filler tube;
a watertight fluid conduit from said outlet port to said fluid dispensing
means; whereby said water container may be inverted on said water
cooler and said pump may be energized to collect water from said
conventional water supply bottle and deliver water to said water
container for replenishing said freestanding water cooler.
3. A water cooler replenishing system for replenishing a freestanding
water cooler from a conventional water supply bottle, comprising:
a fluid pump, an inlet port and an outlet port; said inlet port
and said outlet port being operatively connected in fluid communication
with said pump; said pump having selective energizing means for
urging water inward from said inlet port and outward through said
outlet port; a water container having a top portion and a bottom
portion, said top portion having a first opening, for feeding water
to said water cooler; said bottom portion having a second opening
for receiving water into said container; water collecting means
disposed within said water supply bottle; said water collecting
means comprising a supply tube having proximal and distal ends,
the distal end being sized to pass into said conventional water
supply bottle, for collecting fluid therefrom; said supply tube
having first stop means, designed to prevent contact between the
distal end of said supply tube and the bottom of said water supply
bottle; said first stop means comprising an adjustable collar having
a central aperture for slideably disposing said adjustable collar
on said supply tube for providing infinite adjustment of position;
a watertight fluid conduit from said water collecting means to said
inlet port; water dispensing means directed through said second
opening; said water dispensing means comprising a filler tube having
proximal and distal ends, the distal end being sized to pass through
said second opening for delivering fluid into said water container;
said filler tube having second stop means, designed to prevent passage
of said proximal end through said second opening; a watertight fluid
conduit from said outlet port to said fluid dispensing means; whereby
said water container may be inverted on said water cooler and said
pump may be energized to collect water from said conventional water
supply bottle and deliver water to said water container for replenishing
said freestanding water cooler.
4. A process for replenishing a free standing water cooler from
a conventional water supply bottle comprising the steps of: providing
a fluid pump with an inlet port and an outlet port; providing operative
connection and fluid communication between said inlet port and said
pump and between said pump and said outlet port; providing selective
means for energizing said pump; providing a water container having
a top portion and a bottom portion; providing a first opening in
said top portion, for feeding water to said water cooler and a second
opening in said bottom portion, for receiving water; inverting said
water container and placing said water container on said conventional
water cooler; providing water collecting means disposed within said
water supply bottle; the step of providing said water collecting
means comprises, providing a water supply tube having proximal and
distal ends, and providing first stop means disposed on said water
supply tube; said step of providing first stop means comprises providing
a first transverse collar disposed proximate to the proximal end
of said supply tube, for preventing contact between the distal end
of the supply tube and the bottom of the water container; providing
a watertight fluid conduit from said water collecting means to said
inlet port; providing water dispensing means directed through said
second opening; the step of providing water dispensing means comprises
providing a filler tube and providing second stop means on said
filler tube; the step of providing second stop means comprises providing
a second transverse collar disposed at an intermediate position
along the length of said filler tube; providing a watertight fluid
conduit from said outlet port to said fluid dispensing means; energizing
said pump for collecting water from said conventional water supply
bottle and dispensing water into said water container for replenishing
said freestanding water cooler.
Water cooler description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to freestanding water coolers
having inverted conventional supply bottles and more particularly
to systems for replenishing the supply of water for the water cooler.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Most modern buildings are served by water systems which include
a network of pipes disposed within the walls and floors, such that
potable water is available at most locations throughout the building;
however, there are circumstances which require the use of freestanding
water coolers to serve the need for readily available drinking water.
Office buildings or buildings which have been converted to office
use, are frequently divided into relatively small spaces to suit
the needs of small business operations. It is not uncommon for such
an office to install a freestanding water cooler rather than a water
fountain of the type which must be connected to the building plumbing
system, in order to provide drinking water for employees. In addition,
certain industrial sites are located where drinking water is not
available through a building plumbing system. Also, some offices
and households have opted for bottled water, for drinking, even
though potable water service is otherwise available. For a variety
of reasons, offices and households install water coolers and subscribe
to a service which delivers bottled water, for use with the water
coolers.
Typically, the water is delivered in bottles having a five gallon
capacity. The bottles are typically formed of plastic having an
upper portion with a tapered upwardly extending neck, which includes
an opening at the distal end. Water coolers are typically formed
with a tapered well at their top, corresponding to the shape of
the upper portion of the water bottle and designed to receive it
in a stable supporting relation. When the water, in a bottle is
consumed, the empty bottle is removed from the well. A replacement
supply bottle is opened and inverted as it is placed into the well.
The full water bottle is heavy and unwieldy. It must be inverted
and placed in the well, after the top has been opened. There is
a potential for an accident involving a dropped bottle and also
the potential of a water spill, which could damage property or cause
a slippery condition of the floor. There is a need for a system
which can refill a freestanding water cooler without the necessity
of lifting a full bottle and inserting the then open bottle into
the well at the top of the water cooler.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a system and a process for replenishing
a freestanding water cooler, from a full conventional supply bottle
without the need for lifting and inserting a full supply bottle.
The system of the present invention includes a pump, an inlet port
and an outlet port. The inlet port and the outlet port are operably
connected to the pump which is configured to be selectively energized
for urging water inward from the inlet port and outward through
the outlet port. The system includes a water container having a
top portion with a first opening for dispensing water and having
a bottom portion with a second opening for receiving water into
the water container. A plug is provided for selectively closing
the opening in the bottom of the container. Means for collecting
water from a conventional supply bottle are provided. A supply tube,
having distal and proximal ends is provided for collecting water
from a conventional supply bottle. A flexible supply hose is provided
for connecting the proximal end of the supply tube in fluid communication
with the inlet port of the pump, for forming a watertight fluid
conduit. The supply hose may be expandable to allow for an extended
reach. The supply tube is provided with a first transverse collar
which is sized for resting engagement with the opening at the top
of a conventional water bottle, to prevent passage of the distal
end of the supply tube into the supply bottle and to prevent contact
between the distal end of the supply tube and the bottom of the
supply bottle. The system also includes means for dispensing water
through the second opening and into the water container. A filler
tube having distal and proximal ends is provided. The distal end
is designed to pass through the second opening in the bottom portion
of the water container for delivering water. A flexible filler hose
is provided for connecting the outlet port of the pump in fluid
communication with the proximal end of the filler tube, for forming
a watertight fluid conduit. The filler tube is provided with a second
transverse collar which is sized for resting engagement with the
periphery of the opening in the bottom of the water container to
prevent passage of the proximal end of the filler tube.
In use the water container of the system of the present invention
may be inverted and placed in the well at the top of a water cooler,
while the water container is empty. The filler tube may be introduced
through the opening in the bottom of the water container and the
supply tube may be partially submerged in an upright conventional
water supply bottle. The pump may be energized to collect and deliver
the water, from the conventional supply bottle to the water container
of the present invention. In this manner, the water cooler may be
replenished with a supply of water without the necessity of lifting
and inverting a full bottle of water. When the water container is
emptied, the system may be used to replenish the water container,
of the present invention, from another supply bottle, without the
need for removing the water container from the water cooler.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a water cooler
replenishing system which is capable of replenishing the supply
of water in a freestanding water cooler.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a water
cooler replenishing system capable of replenishing the supply of
water, in a water cooler, without the necessity of lifting or inverting
the full water bottle.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
water cooler replenishing system capable of replenishing the supply
of water in a freestanding water cooler without the necessity of
moving a supply water bottle to a location immediately proximate
to the water cooler.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be further understood, by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1a is a plan view of the pump with the housing top removed;
FIG. 1b is a plan view of the pump of an alternative version of
the present invention, including an adapter and also with the housing
top removed;
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the system of the present
invention shown with the pump resting on the inverted water container
and with the supply tube in place within a supply bottle;
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the system of the present
invention showing an alternative version with an expandable supply
hose and with the pump positioned on a table (shown in phantom lines)
between the water cooler and the supply bottle;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the system of the present invention;
FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the system of the present invention
with fluid conduits disconnected and shown without a supply tube;
FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the supply tube with an integral
collar and an alternative tube with a detachable and adjustable
collar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Shown throughout the drawings, the present invention is generally
directed toward a system for replenishing a freestanding water cooler
from a supply source. The system of the present invention is capable
of transferring water to the water cooler without the necessity
of lifting a bottle of water and placing it within the well, at
the top of the water cooler.
The system of the present invention includes a fluid pump 5 which
for aesthetic and noise reduction purposes, may be disposed within
a housing 10 as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. The pump 5 is provided
with an inlet port 15 and an outlet port 20 both of which are operably
connected to the pump 5 and configured for urging water inward from
the inlet port 15 and outward through the outlet port 20. It is
preferred that the pump 5 should be electrically powered and have
sufficient capacity to transfer five gallons of water within a reasonable
period of time. It may be appreciated that the selection of a relatively
low capacity pump will reduce the size and weight of the present
invention but a greater amount of time will be required to transfer
five gallons of water. Commercially available pumps, which are energized
by standard 115 120 volt household power, are available in a range
of capacities, are suitable for use in the present invention, and
may be connected to a standard power outlet, by a power cord 25
as shown in FIG. 1a. An alternative version of the invention having
the pump 5 configured to operate on direct current is shown in FIG.
1b, with an adapter 30 for converting household power to direct
current. The alternate version of the present invention may be provided
with various power cords (not shown) to allow connection to other
sources of electric power, for example marine power supplies or
batteries. Means for selectively energizing the pump 5 are preferably
provided by a switch 35 wired to control the pump 5.
It is contemplated that the present invention would be assembled
in both a portable version and in a version suitable for permanent
installation or placement. The portable version would include a
relatively low capacity lightweight pump. The system could be moved
and stored conveniently; however, a relatively long amount of time
would be required to replenish a water cooler. The permanent version
would include a relatively large capacity pump which would occupy
a larger space, but would replenish the water cooler more quickly.
It is preferred that the pump 5 be mounted on a platform 40 formed
of a flat rigid sheet of material such as metal or wood. Mounting
may be accomplished by conventional means, such as by screws. It
is preferred that a housing 10 be provided to conceal the pump 5
from view and to muffle the noise. The housing 10 comprises a plurality
of co-joined walls 45 attached to the edges of the platform 40
in generally perpendicular orientation and extending upward from
the platform 40 for surrounding the pump 5. The same type of material
selected for forming the platform 40 may be used for forming the
walls 45. A plurality of feet 47 formed of flexible and resilient
material, such as rubber, may be attached to the housing, as shown
in FIGS. 4 and 5a to dampen vibration from the pump 5.
An aperture is provided in a one of the walls 45 to provide a passage
for the power cord 25. An aperture is provided for the wiring of
the switch 35 in a like manner, so that the switch 35 may be operated
from outside the housing 10.
The inlet port 15 and the outlet port 20 are preferably fitted
with extensions each comprising a rigid distal sleeve 50 and a flexible
segment 55. Each distal sleeve 50 is preferably formed of metal
or plastic and each flexible segment 55 is preferably formed of
rubber tubing or plastic tubing. Each distal sleeve 50 is designed
to fit snugly within the flexible segment 55 to form a watertight
connection providing a fluid conduit. Each flexible segment 55 is
sized to connect to the pump 5 by sliding onto one of the inlet
port 15 or the outlet port 20 to form watertight connections providing
fluid conduits.
A pair of apertures is provided for the extensions so that the
inlet port 15 and the outlet port 20 may be accessed from outside
the housing. The apertures are lined with throughput fittings to
retain the power cord 25 wiring for the switch 35 and extensions
in a fixed position within the respective apertures. The housing
10 also includes a top, not shown, which may be designed to fit
onto the walls 45 opposite the platform 40 for aesthetic purposes
and for noise control.
The system of the present invention is depicted in place with a
conventional freestanding water cooler, in FIG. 2. The system includes
a rigid water container 60 preferably formed in the size and shape
of a conventional water cooler supply bottle and having a top portion
and a bottom portion, shown in inverted orientation, in FIG. 4.
The top portion has an upwardly extending tapered neck. A first
opening 61 is provided at the distal end of the neck, in the manner
of a conventional water cooler supply bottle, for feeding water
to the water cooler. The bottom portion of the water container 60
is provided with a second opening 62. A plug (not shown) is included
for closing the second opening 62 when the system is not in use.
The system includes means for collecting water from a conventional
supply bottle. A supply tube 65 shown independently in FIG. 5a,
is preferably formed of rigid material such as plastic and has a
proximal and distal ends. The supply tube 65 has a cross sectional
area sufficiently small to pass through the opening of a conventional
water cooler supply bottle, as shown in FIG. 2. The supply tube
65 has sufficient length to extend from the bottom of a conventional
water cooler supply bottle to a point above the opening, as shown
in FIG. 2. The supply tube 65 is preferably provided with a first
stop means, such as a transverse collar 70 integral with the supply
tube 65 and disposed proximate to the proximal end, as best shown
in FIG. 5a. The first transverse collar 70 is sized to contact the
periphery of the opening at the top of a conventional water cooler
supply bottle, when the supply tube 65 is inserted through the opening,
as shown in FIG. 2 and positioned to prevent contact between the
distal end of the supply tube 65 and the bottom of the bottle. The
first stop means also serves to isolate the proximal end of the
supply tube 65 which is typically handled manually, from the distal
end, which touches the drinking water. In an alternate version of
the present invention, the supply tube 65 may be formed without
an integral transverse collar and an adjustable collar 75 may be
included. The adjustable collar 75 is formed of flexible material,
such as rubber and is provided with a central aperture matching
the size of the outside circumference of the supply tube 65 such
that the adjustable collar 75 may be forced onto an end of the
supply tube 65 and moved to any position along the length of the
supply tube 65 where it will be retained in position by frictional
engagement between the adjustable collar 75 and the supply tube
65. The position of the adjustable collar 75 may be selected so
as to position the distal end of the supply tube 65 with respect
to the bottom of the bottle. A flexible supply hose 80 is included,
which is preferably formed of plastic tubing of conventional manufacture
and sized to receive the distal sleeve 50 on the extension from
the inlet port 15 within one end and the proximal end of the supply
tube 65 within the other end, so as to form a watertight conduit
from the supply tube 65 to the inlet port 15 as shown in FIGS.
2 and 4.
The system includes means for dispensing water through the second
opening 62 and into the water container 60. A filler tube 85 and
a filler hose 90 which may be formed in the same manner as the
supply tube 65 and the supply hose 80 are provided. The filler
tube 85 being designed to have a cross sectional area sufficiently
small to pass through the second opening 62 and being preferably
of a shorter length so as to extend within the water container 60
only so far as necessary for dispensing water through the second
opening 62. The filler tube 85 is preferably provided a second stop
means such as a second transverse collar 95 integral with the filler
tube 85 sized to contact the periphery of the second opening 62
and designed to retain the distal end of the filler tube 85 within
the water container 60. The second stop means also serves to isolate
the portion of the apparatus which is typically handled from that
which touches the water.
In an alternate version of the present invention, the supply hose
80 is replaced by an expandable supply hose 100 which is formed
with a plurality of aligned and spaced apart rigid rings embedded
in a flexible body having folds disposed in a one-to-one correspondence
with the spaces between the rigid rings. The expandable supply hose
100 is shown in FIG. 3 and may be expanded in the manner of a conventional
vacuum cleaner hose to reach a water supply bottle at a more distant
location.
The expandable supply hose 100 allows a number of water supply
bottles to be tapped by the system of the present invention without
the need for shuffling the positions of the bottles.
The supply tube 65 and the filler tube 85 are preferably provided
with a plurality of spaced apart lateral ridges encircling the proximal
ends, to improve frictional engagement with the supply hose 80 and
the filler hose 90 respectively.
While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been
described herein, together with several contemplated variations,
it may be understood and appreciated that other various modifications
can be made in the invention and that the appended claims are intended
to cover all such modifications which fall within the spirit and
scope of the invention disclosed and claimed herein. |