Water cooler abstract
A free standing water cooler bottle and dispenser cover that may
include an upper housing, a middle housing, and a lower housing
(optionally the upper, middle, lower housings may be combined into
a single housing). Where the housings are defined by a top section,
a front section, optionally a rear section, and two side sections.
The dimensions of the housings are capable of accepting and covering
a water cooler bottle and dispenser. The housings may include at
least one water outlet means, at least one storage and/or shelf
means, a plurality of retractable wheels, and a wheel engagement/locking
means.
Water cooler claims
What is claimed:
1. A free standing water cooler bottle and dispenser cover comprising:
an upper housing defined by a top section, a front section, a rear
section, and two side sections, wherein the dimensions of the upper
housing are at least capable of accepting and covering a water cooler
bottle; a middle housing defined by a front section, a rear section,
and two side sections, wherein the dimensions of the middle housing
are at least capable of accepting and covering a water cooler dispenser,
and wherein the middle housing includes at least one water outlet
means; and wherein the upper housing is detachably connected to
the middle housing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lower housing
defined by: a water-resistant tray capable of collecting water;
a porous top section that allows water to pass through to the water
retention tray; two side sections, a rear section, and a bottom
section; a removable front section to provide access to the water
retention tray; a plurality of retractable wheels; a wheel engagement/locking
means; and wherein the lower housing is detachably connected to
the middle housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more handle
means attached to the upper housing to assist in the removal of
upper housing from the middle housing.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one of
a storage and a shelf means attached to the middle housing.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the shelf means is rotatably
attached to the middle housing.
8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the shelf means is fixably
attached to the middle housing.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper housing and the
middle housing are constructed of wood.
10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the lower housing is constructed
of wood.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper housing and the
middle housing are constructed of a laminate.
12. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the lower housing is constructed
of a laminate.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper housing and the
middle housing are constructed of a molded rigid plastic.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lower housing is constructed
of a molded rigid plastic.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a ventilation
means to allow heat and moisture to escape from the air space between
the cover and the water cooler bottle and dispenser.
16. A free standing water cooler bottle and dispenser cover comprising:
an upper housing defined by a top section, a front section, a rear
section, and two side sections, wherein the dimensions of the upper
housing are capable of accepting and covering a water cooler bottle;
a middle housing defined by a front section, a rear section, and
two side sections, wherein the dimensions of the middle housing
are capable of accepting and covering a water cooler dispenser,
and wherein the middle housing includes at least one water outlet
means; a lower housing defined by a porous top section, a removable
front section, a rear section, and a bottom section; wherein the
upper housing and the lower housing are detachably connected to
the middle housing; a water-resistant tray means capable of collecting
water located within the lower housing and attached to the removable
front section of the lower housing; at least one of a storage and
shelf means attached to the middle housing; and a ventilation means
to allow heat and moisture to escape from the air space between
the top, middle, and bottom housing and a water cooler bottle and
dispenser.
17. A rigid free standing water cooler bottle and dispenser cover
comprising: a housing defined by a front section, and two side sections,
wherein the dimensions of the middle housing are at least capable
of accepting and covering a water cooler bottle and dispenser, and
wherein the housing includes at least one water outlet means, at
least one of a storage and a shelf means, a plurality of retractable
wheels, and a wheel engagement means.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the housing is constructed
of wood.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the housing is constructed
of a laminate.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the housing is constructed
of molded rigid plastic.
Water cooler description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a water cooler bottle and dispenser
covering device. More particularly, this invention relates to a
rigid, free standing device that covers all or at least three sides
of the exterior of a water cooler bottle and dispenser and also
functions as a piece of furniture.
[0002] Covers for water cooler bottles are well known. However,
the prior art fails to address the disadvantages associated with
the use of water cooler dispensers. One such disadvantage is that
water coolers dispensers generally take up a significant amount
of space and this space often cannot be utilized for any other purpose.
[0003] Another drawback with the use of conventional water cooler
dispensers is that they have an unsightly appearance and are often
placed in remote locations of a home or office. Placement of the
water cooler in such a remote location often leads to a lack of
use.
[0004] It therefore would be desirable to provide a free standing
water cooler bottle and dispenser cover with added aesthetics that
may be utilized as a piece of furniture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a free
standing water cooler bottle and dispenser cover with added aesthetics
that may function as a piece of furniture.
[0006] In accordance with this invention an apparatus for covering
a water cooler bottle and dispenser is provided. The water cooler
bottle and dispenser may include an upper housing defined by a top
section, a front section, optionally a rear section, and two side
sections. The dimensions of the upper housing are capable of accepting
and covering a water cooler bottle. The cover may also include a
middle housing defined by a front section, optionally a rear section,
and two side sections. The dimensions of the middle housing are
capable of accepting and covering a water cooler dispenser. The
middle housing may include at least one water outlet means and at
least one storage and/or display means. The middle housing may further
include a plurality of retractable wheels and a wheel engagement
means. The upper housing may be detachably connected to the middle
housing.
[0007] Another embodiment may include a lower housing defined by
a porous top section that may allow spilled water to pass through
to a water retention tray, a removable front section that provides
access to spilled water, a rear section, and a bottom section. The
lower housing may further include a plurality of retractable wheels
and a wheel engagement means. The lower housing may be detachably
connected to the middle housing.
[0008] Another embodiment of the present invention may include
a ventilation means to allow heat and moisture to escape from the
air space between the water cooler bottle and dispenser and the
top, the middle, and/or the lower housing.
[0009] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of
the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of
the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to
like parts throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of
a water cooler bottle and dispenser cover that may be used for performing
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of an embodiment of a water cooler
bottle and dispenser cover that may be used for performing the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of
a water cooler bottle and dispenser cover that may be used for performing
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows an exploded front view of an embodiment of
a water cooler bottle and dispenser cover that may be used for performing
the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of an embodiment of a water cooler
bottle and dispenser cover that may be used for performing the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] FIGS. 1-3 show a front view of three preferred embodiments
of an apparatus 100 according to the invention. Apparatus 100 may
include upper housing 110 upper housing handle means 115 middle
housing 120 shelf means 125 (as shown in FIG. 1), storage means
126 (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), water outlet means 124 nozzle
cover 127 lower housing 130 removable front cover 210 water retention
tray 220 porous section 310 retractable wheels 320 and wheel
engagement/locking means 330.
[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1-4 upper housing 110 may be used to
cover a water bottle and may be removably attached to middle housing
120. Middle housing 120 may be used to cover a water cooler dispenser.
When upper housing 110 is attached to middle housing 120 the front,
back, and side surfaces of upper housing 110 may be parallel to
and lie within the same plane as the corresponding front, back,
and side surfaces of middle housing 120 thus creating a smooth
transition between upper housing 110 and middle housing 120. In
one embodiment, upper housing 110 may be attached to middle housing
120 using a tongue and groove arrangement (not shown). In another
embodiment, upper housing 110 may be attached to middle housing
120 using a fastening clip arrangement (not shown) spaced periodically
about the perimeter of the bottom portion of upper housing 110 and
about the top portion of middle housing 120 and/or using any other
suitable attachment arrangement.
[0017] One embodiment of upper housing 110 may include a hinged
front face and a hinged top face (not shown). The front face and
the top face of upper housing 110 may be hinged in such manner as
to allow easy access to, removal, and replacement of the water cooler's
water bottle. For example, the top side of upper housing 110 may
be hinged to the rear of the device such that the top of the device
may be opened from the front and opened angularly (between 0 degrees
and approximately 180 degrees) toward the rear of the device.
[0018] Another embodiment of the present invention may include
at least one shelf means 125 (as shown in FIGS. 1 4 and 5) and/or
at least one storage means 126 (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). Shelf
means 125 may be fixably, removably, or rotatably attached to middle
housing 120 and storage means 126 may be fixably or removably attached
to middle housing 120. When shelf means 125 and/or storage means
126 are used in accordance with the present invention, they may
be attached to middle housing 120 in such a manner as to support
the objects. For example, shelf means 125 or storage means 126 may
be attached to middle housing 120 in such a manner to support one
or more books, one or more plants, one or more picture frames, a
water cooler bottle, or the like.
[0019] FIG. 1 also shows that middle housing 120 may further include
water outlet means 124. Water outlet means 124 may be an opening
located on or within a face of middle housing 120 to provide access
to a water cooler dispenser's water dispensing nozzles. Water outlet
means 124 may be concealed by nozzle cover 127. Nozzle cover 127
may be ornamental in design and may open horizontally or vertically
or may provide access to a water cooler's water dispensing nozzles
by using one or more sliding or hinged doors located on or within
the face of middle housing 120.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1-4 apparatus 100 may further include
lower housing 130. Lower housing 130 may be used as a base for the
water cooler dispenser and may be removably attached to middle housing
120. When lower housing 130 is attached to middle housing 120 the
front, back, and side surfaces of lower housing 130 may be parallel
to and lie within the same plane as the corresponding front, back,
and side surfaces of middle housing 120 thus creating a smooth
transition between middle housing 120 and lower housing 130. In
one embodiment, lower housing 130 may be attached to middle housing
120 using a tongue and groove arrangement (not shown). In another
embodiment, lower housing 130 may be attached to middle housing
120 using a fastening clip arrangement (not shown) spaced periodically
about the perimeter of the bottom portion of middle housing 120
and about the top portion of lower housing 130 and/or using any
other suitable attachment arrangement.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2 lower housing 130 may further include
removable front cover 210. When removed, removable front cover 210
may provide access to water retention tray 220. Water retention
tray 220 may be a water-resistant or waterproof water collection
tray that is designed to temporarily collect and store spilled water
that may accumulate during use of the water cooler dispenser. For
example, water retention tray 220 may be a rubber-lined or other
suitable silicone or polymer-lined tray capable of temporarily holding
and/or storing relatively small amounts of spilled or condensed
water.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 3 lower housing 130 may further include
porous section 310 retractable wheels 320 and wheel engagement/locking
means 330. Porous section 310 may be located on the top side of
lower housing 130. Porous section 310 may be holes or any other
suitable shapes or perforation located through the top side of lower
housing 130. For example, the holes located through the top side
of lower housing 130 may allow spilled and/or condensed water to
pass through lower housing 130 and collect within the above-described
water retention tray 220.
[0023] As mentioned above, lower housing 130 may include a plurality
of retractable wheels 320. Retractable wheels 320 may be wheels
that are hinged, spring-loaded, or otherwise suitably attached to
lower housing 130 in such a manner that when wheels 320 are engage
they become the supporting element of apparatus 100 and when wheels
320 are not in use they are in a retracted or folded position such
that the bottom side of lower housing 130 is the supporting element
of apparatus 100.
[0024] Lower housing 130 may also include wheel engagement/locking
means 330. Wheel engagement/locking means 330 may be used to engage
or disengage retractable wheels 320. For example, wheel engagement/locking
means may be a two stage foot pedal that is mechanically attached
to retractable wheels 320 such that when a first force is applied
to the foot pedal retractable wheels 320 becomes engaged and when
a second force is applied to the foot pedal, retractable wheels
320 become disengaged.
[0025] Now referring to FIG. 4 apparatus 100 may include ventilation
means 410. Ventilation means 410 may allow heat and moisture that
may accumulate in the operation of the water cooler to escape from
the air space between the water cooler bottle and dispenser and
the top, middle, and/or lower housing. For example, ventilation
means 410 may be perforations, holes, or other suitable shapes located
through the rear side of apparatus 100 that may allow heat and moisture
to escape from the airspace located between the apparatus 100 and
the water cooler. Although not shown, ventilation means 410 may
be located on any suitable side of apparatus 100.
[0026] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 upper housing
110 middle housing 120 and lower housing 130 may be combined into
single housing 510. Single housing 510 may provide all or some of
the features described above.
[0027] Construction materials of the present invention may include
wood, laminates, molded rigid plastics, or any other suitable material
that may support the above-described structures and additional weighted
elements (e.g., one or more picture frames, one or more plants,
a water cooler bottle, etc.).
[0028] Thus, an aesthetically pleasing, rigid free standing device
for covering a water cooler bottle and dispenser that functions
as a piece of furniture is provided. Persons skilled in the art
will appreciate that the described embodiments are presented for
the purpose of illustration rather than limitation and the that
present invention is limited only by the claims that follow. |