Water dispenser abstract
A cover for the supply bottle of a liquid dispenser such as a water
dispenser. The cover is generally cylindrical and open at the bottom.
The cover has a generally circular upper panel and a depending panel.
The depending panel has a full length open seam, and is joined continuously
to the upper panel along the circumference of the latter. The open
seam defines opposed edges. The cover is preferably fabricated from
fabric which is folded over to provide double thickness at the opposed
edges. The opposed edges bear hook and loop fastener which overlies
and does not extend beyond the double thickness of the opposed edges.
The cover fits in close cooperation over generally cylindrical supply
bottles and fully cover the latter when installed in operable inverted
position in a liquid dispenser.
Water dispenser claims
I claim:
1. A cover for a generally cylindrical receptacle, comprising a
flexible, flaccid, opaque upper panel having a circular circumference,
and a depending flexible, flaccid, opaque depending panel extending
perpendicularly from said upper panel and joined continuously to
said upper panel at said circumference, an open vertical seam extending
the full length of said depending panel, said vertical seam forming
a first edge of said depending panel and an opposed, overlapping
second edge of said depending panel, and hook and loop fastener
material disposed upon said first edge of said depending panel and
upon said second edge of said depending panel so as to attach said
first edge of said depending panel releasably to said second edge
of said depending panel.
2. The cover according to claim 1 further comprising a graphic
representation of a generally cylindrical receptacle having a neck,
disposed upon the exterior of said depending panel of said cover
such that said neck of said graphic representation is depicted on
that side of said depending panel opposite to said upper panel.
3. The cover according to claim 1 wherein said upper panel and
said depending panel each are made from woven fabric, said fabric
of said first edge of said depending panel is folded to double thickness,
said fabric of said second edge of said depending panel is folded
to double thickness, and said hook and loop material overlies only
said first edge of said depending panel and said second edge of
said depending panel.
4. A liquid dispenser and an associated cover therefor, comprising:
a liquid dispenser component having a body and a tap disposed on
said body; a generally cylindrical liquid supply receptacle dimensioned
and configured to be supported on and exposed at the upper end of
said body of said liquid dispenser; and a cover for said liquid
supply receptacle, comprising a flexible, flaccid, opaque upper
panel having a circular circumference, and a depending flexible,
flaccid, opaque depending panel extending perpendicularly from said
upper panel and joined continuously to said upper panel at said
circumference, wherein said depending panel has length oriented
perpendicularly from said upper panel, an open vertical seam extending
the full length of said depending panel, said vertical seam forming
a first edge of said depending panel and an opposed, overlapping
second edge of said depending panel, and hook and loop fastener
material disposed upon said first edge of said depending panel and
upon said second edge of said depending panel so as to attach said
first edge of said depending panel releasably to said second edge
of said depending panel, wherein said cover is dimensioned and configured
to fit in close cooperation with said liquid supply receptacle and
to cover said liquid supply receptacle from view when said liquid
supply receptacle is installed on said body of said liquid dispenser.
Water dispenser description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to covers, and more particularly
to a flaccid cover for a supply bottle of a water dispenser.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Water dispensers, particularly for drinking water, have
become popular appliances in occupied spaces of buildings. A water
dispenser may be permanently connected to the building and to its
plumbing system, or alternatively may be independent. The independent
form may have an electrical connection by a manually removable plug
and cord, for appliances having liquid cooling and heating capabilities,
or, in the absence of such capabilities, may be entirely independent
of connection to the building. Drinking water dispensers usually
utilize large supply bottles of potable water, placed inverted on
the dispenser so that water will flow into the dispensing circuit
under the influence of gravity. Water supply bottles may be unsightly,
exhibiting dirt and scuff marks, or may be subject to collecting
dust and other environmental contaminants if not covered. There
exists a need for an inexpensive, practical cover for supply bottles
of water for water dispensers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides an inexpensive, practical
cover for supply bottles of water for water dispensers. The novel
cover is preferably of fabric, fitting in close cooperation with
a supply bottle and being readily installed thereon and removed
therefrom. The cover has a circular upper panel, a depending panel
or skirt split to form a vertical seam, and hook and loop closure
enabling the vertical seam to be joined, thereby closing the depending
panel over the supply bottle. The novel cover conceals the entire
bottle from view when installed, thereby achieving both a desired
aesthetic effect and sanitary protection of the supply bottle.
[0006] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages
of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the
same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the novel cover installed
on a water bottle which in turn has been installed in a water dispenser.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of the cover of
FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Turning now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a
water dispenser 10 having an associated cover 12. Dispenser 10 comprises
a water dispenser component 14 having a body 16 and a tap 18 disposed
on body 16. A generally cylindrical receptacle such as water bottle
20 is installed on body 16. It will be understood that as employed
herein, generally cylindrical corresponds to the dominant visual
impression of bottle 20 certain variations in configuration notwithstanding.
For example, many water bottles have shallow circumferential ribs
(not shown) which do not alter the overall visual impression of
the receptacle of the bottle as being cylindrical. Similarly, the
closed end of the bottle may be dished inwardly or outwardly (neither
shown) without affecting the overall impression of the cylindrical
nature of the bottle. Also, the neck of the bottle may vary in diameter
and configuration where it joins the receptacle of the bottle. The
end of the bottle at the neck may be generally frustoconical as
shown or may otherwise depart from a pure cylindrical configuration.
Bottle 20 may have a handle or other structure (none shown) molded
into the receptacle or end thereof. Cylindrical configuration of
bottle 20 will be understood to encompass any one or more of these
departures from purely cylindrical configuration.
[0011] Cover 12 is for covering bottle 20. Body 16 is arranged
such that bottle 20 is capable of being supported on and, in the
absence of cover 12 exposed at the upper end of body 16. Body 16
is a structural member which supports bottle 20 and houses operating
components of-water dispenser 10. The operating components will
be understood to include an internal water conduit 22 arranged to
conduct water from bottle 20 when installed, to tap 18. Tap 18
preferably has a valve 24 operated by a lever 26 and a nozzle 28
for discharging water from bottle 20 when valve 24 is open. Bottle
20 is concealed from view by cover 12.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows details of construction of cover 12 which
comprises an upper panel 30 having a circular circumference 32 closely
matching that of bottle 20. A depending panel 34 extends perpendicularly
from upper panel 30 and is joined continuously to upper panel 30
at circumference 32. In the preferred embodiment, cover 12 is fabricated
from a woven fabric, and thus is flexible, flaccid, and to a degree
opaque. It will be understood that as employed herein, opaque signifies
that bottle 20 is not visible through the constituent fabric material
of cover 12 in the absence of strong backlighting, even though woven
fabrics contain minute openings through which some light may pass.
Fabric is washable and superior in appearance to other flexible,
flaccid materials such as plastics, and furthermore is less subject
to become dry and stiff. It will be further understood that continuous
joining of upper panel 30 to depending panel 34 encompasses stitching
and other constructions wherein fastening materials are provided
periodically but not in contact with one another.
[0013] An open vertical seam formed in depending panel 34 defines
a first edge 36 of depending panel 34 and also an opposed second
edge 38 arranged to overlap first edge 36. While it is not strictly
necessary to the invention, it is preferred that the vertical seam
extend the full length of depending panel 34.
[0014] Depending panel 34 is depicted with one corner shown in
a lifted position to reveal detail of its reverse side. A suitable
fastener such as hook and loop material is provided on edges 36
38. Preferably, complementing patches 40 42 of hook and loop material
are affixed to panel 34 at suitable spaced apart locations along
edges 36 38. A second pair of complementing patches, indicated
collectively as 44 is shown in overlying, mated condition. Edge
36 is thereby releasably attached to edge 38 so that depending
panel 34 may be suitably expanded to slip readily over bottle 20
and to be removed therefrom.
[0015] The constituent fabric of depending panel 34 is folded over
to double thickness, as shown at 46 and is stitched to maintain
edge 36 neat, straight, and capable of resisting unraveling. Edge
38 also is folded over to double thickness and is stitched. Preferably,
patches of hook and loop material 40 42 44 are dimensioned, configured,
and located so as to overlie only the double thickness portion of
edges 36 38.
[0016] Referring again to FIG. 1 depending panel 34 bears upon
its exterior side a graphic representation 48 of a generally cylindrical
receptacle having a neck. The receptacle represented thereby is
depicted such that the relatively small neck of the receptacle of
the graphic representation is located on that side of depending
panel 34 opposite upper panel 30. In this way, representation 48
graphically suggests appropriate orientation of cover 12 relative
to bottle 20. Representation 48 could also include printed instructions
(not shown), if desired.
[0017] In the preferred embodiment, depending panel 34 has length
oriented perpendicularly from upper panel 30. Alternatively stated,
the length of cover 12 is oriented along depending panel 34 and
its magnitude is greater than that of the diameter of upper panel
30.
[0018] The graphic representation may take any convenient form.
For example, it may be one or more dies, pigments, or other substances
deposited on or impregnated into the fabric. It may be bleach or
other chemical based treatment of the fabric. It may be formed by
energy such as light or heat. It may be a decal, patch, or stitching
affixed to the fabric.
[0019] Preferably, cover 12 consists only of upper panel 30 and
depending panel 34 with no external ancillary elements such as
pockets, handles, and other projecting structure which could trap
dust, unravel, or otherwise impair the appearance of cover 12 although
the graphic representation must be regarded as an optional component
of depending panel 34. Where constructed from woven fabric, cover
12 will be understood to include seam structure and stitching or
other fastening for joining upper panel 30 to depending panel 34.
[0020] The invention is susceptible to variations and modifications
which may be introduced thereto without departing from the inventive
concept. For example, any type of liquid may be dispensed, not only
water. Also, the exact nature of the dispenser may vary from that
described in function and structure. The dispenser may be manually
operated or alternatively, electrically operated. The dispenser
may be combined with apparatus for accomplishing additional functions.
The invention may be applied to devices having plural liquid dispensing
bottles, such as fluid concentrate dispensers for preparing differently
flavored beverages.
[0021] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any
and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. |