GB2486874A

GB2486874A - Globe dispenser system

Info

Publication number: GB2486874A
Application number: GB1021315.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Ikechukwu Anosike
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-16
Filing date: 2010-12-16
Publication date: 2012-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-16
Also published as: GB2486874B; GB201021315D0

Abstract

A globe dispenser for storing and dispensing fluids such as water and beverages comprising a hollow spherical container 110 with at least two openings for fluid inlet 111 and outlet 112 with a tap or faucet 113 attached to the outlet opening for fluid dispensing. The spherical body is supported by a support structure which consists of an arc structure 120 attached to a base 130. The arc structure also serves as a handle for carrying the container body. The base has a means for collecting and disposing waste fluid. The container also has a means for preventing the formation of vacuum in the spherical body and may include an ice pack (150, fig 3) for cooling.

Description

GLOBE DiSPENSER

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the construction of fluid dispensers.

BACKGROUND

Globes are well known in the art as apparatus for representing the structure of the earth usually with a map of the earth on its surface. There exist a wide range of constructions of globes but generally, a globe consists of a spherical body and a support structure for receiving and supporting the spherical body wherein the surface of the spherical body consists of a map of the earth. Globes can be found in the different settings including homes, offices, and can be of a wide range of sizes.

The prevailing function of existing globes is to show a representation of the earth in a decorative and aesthetically pleasing manner. While the inventor was studying a map on his globe, it suddenly occurred to him that a major feature of a globe is that its spherical body is substantially hollow, and that this hollow body represents a huge resource that could be used to achieve additional functions. One of such additional functions, which is disclosed herein, is fluid storage and dispensing as achieved by fluid dispensers and water coolers. To appreciate the inventive step disclosed herein, it would be appropriate to provide a brief background information on fluid dispensers and water coolers.

Bottled water dispensers are well known in the art as apparatus for storing clean drinking water in a convenient manner and location ready for immediate dispensing and use. As with globes, bottled water dispensers are used in a variety of settings including homes, offices, restaurants etc., and arc usually referred to as water coolers'. Such water dispensers usually consist of a water bottle that is placed, in an inverted manner, onto an upwardly open reservoir in which the reservoir receives and supports the inverted water bottle. The reservoir is continuously filled with the water in the bottle which flows downwardly into the reservoir. The water in the reservoir, which is usually cooled by an appropriate refrigeration means, is dispensed for use through one or more faucet valves or taps commonly located on the front of the svater cooler. When the water in the water bottle finishes, the empty water bottle is removed and replaced with full water bottle. The shape of the water bottles is generally cylindrical with a tapered neck and an opening for water inlet and outlet from the bottle, A range of spherical fluid containers has been described in prior art. Stewart et al (United States Patent: 4,320,856) describes a spherical thermos flask that maintains the temperature of stored fluid. Butler and Butlers Ltd (British Patent: 381,042) also describes spherical beverage delivery where the beverage to be dispensed is circulated displayed and circulated within a spherical container. Reilly (United States Patent: 5,255,533) presents an ice box for storing and cooling a spherical container for carbonated drinks. Such spherical containers are usually referred to as party balls. Muramoto (United States Patent: 3,940,022) describes a spherical beverage dispenser with a pouring spout similar to mugs but capable of heating or cooling the stored beverage via an inner cylindrical container. AppI Mech Eng Centre Co. Ltd. (RU 2033384 A) describes a spherical container for storage of mineral waters that incorporates disintegrator on discharge valve to prevent deposition of calcium carbonate. Eleetrolux Sigmund gmbh (FR 2496854 A) presents a spherical vessel for storing drinks under pressure and has chiller coils around both hemispheres for uniform temperature. Bierdrivc AG (DE273 6283 A) presents a spherical storage tank with tubular ring below equator and suspended from pivot hooks.

Although, these prior arts use spherical containers, they differ significantly in construction, from the apparatus disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF INVENTiON

An object of this invention is to convert conventional globe construction into a fluid dispcnsing apparatus.

In accordance with the above objectives, from a broad perspective, the present invention provides a globe dispenser comprising a hollow spherical body with at least one opening for fluid inlet and/or outlet. The spherical body is supported by a support structure which consists of an arc structure attached to a base. The base has a means for collecting and disposing waste fluid. The arc structure serves as a handle for carrying the spherical body. The spherical body has at least one tap that is attached to the spherical body for fluid dispensing. The tap may be of unitary construction with the container or it may removable. The container also has a means for preventing the formation of vacuum in the spherical body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWiNGS

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows a side view of the globe/dispenser system; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the globe/dispenser system; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the globe/dispenser system with an icepack; Figure 4 shows alternative shape for the handle of the globe/dispenser system with an icepack; Figure 5 shows another alternative shape for the handle of the globe/dispenser system; Figure 6 shows another alternative positioning and shape of the handle of the globe/dispenser system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In describing and claiming the present invention, the singular words "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents. For instance, in describing "a lid", reference is made to one or more of such lids.

An embodiment of the globe dispenser system is shown in figures 1 and 2. The globe dispenser system 100 and 101 consists of spherical container 110 which is supported by an arc structure 120 attached to a base 130.

The arch structure 120 also serves as a handle for carrying the container. The container 110, which is removable from the handle 120, has two openings: 111 for fluid inlet; and 112 for fluid dispensing through a tap 113. The inlet opening projects upwards to form a neck 114 (figure 2) around which the container is secured by the support structure/handle 120 by a ring at the upper part i 21. The lower part of the support structure/handle provides a ring 122 for securing the container 110 through the tap 113. The base has an upwardly projection 131 (figure 2) that accepts a semi hollow projection 123 projecting downwards from the handle/support structure 120. This construction makes it possible for container 110 to be lifted off the base using the handle/support structure 120. The base has a means 132 for collecting and disposing waste fluid. The container has a lid 140 with a hole 141 for vacuum removal from the container (figure 2). In another embodiment 102 (figure 3), the lid may be replaced by an ieepaek 150. In other embodiments 103 and 104 (figures 4 and 5) the support structure/handle 128 and 129 may have any different shape. In yet another embodiment 105 (figure 6), the means of attachment on the handle 161 to the container is between a protruding neck 162 and the lid 163 at the upper part. At the lower part, the means of attachment at the lower part 164 is between the outlet projection 165 and the tap 166.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fluid dispenser comprising of: a body that is substantially spherical, an arc shaped handle, a base, said body has an internal compartment for storing and dispensing a supply of fluid; an inlet opening on the upper part of said body for fluid inlet, said inlet opening comprising a hollow projection from the surface of said body, said inlet hollow projection accepts a lid; an opening defined on another part of said body for fluid outlet, said outlet opening comprising a hollow projection from the surface of said body, said outlet hollow projection accepts a tap or faucet for fluid dispensing; said handle comprising means of attachment at the upper and lower ends wherein said upper means of attachment engages around said inlet hollow projection on said body, said lower means of attachment engages around said tap or faucet; said handle also comprising a projection extending downwards from the lower part of the handle; said base including an upwardly projection that accepts said downward projection on the handle; said handle together with said spherical body able to rotate about the joint formed by said downwardly projection on said handle and said upwardly projection on said base; said spherical body able to rotate about the axis formed by said upper and lower means of attachment on the handle; said spherical body and handle removable from said base.
2. A fluid dispenser as in claim 1, wherein said spherical body and handle are not removable from the base.
3. A fluid dispenser as in claims I to 2, wherein said handle together with said spherical body unable to rotate about the joint formed by said downwardly projection on said handle and said upwardly projection on said base; said spherical body unable to rotate about the axis formed by said upper and lower means of attachment on the handle.
4. A fluid dispenser as in claims 1 to 3 wherein said lower means of attachment of the handle is between the outlet hollow projection and the tap.
5. A fluid dispenser as in claims 1 to 4 wherein the surfaces of said body are wholly smooth, partly smooth or rough.
6. A fluid dispenser as in claims I to 5 wherein said body is wholly or partly transparent.
7. A fluid dispenser as in claims I to 6 wherein said body has undulations or patterns.
8. A fluid dispenser as in claims I to 7 wherein said faucets or taps are removable from said body.
9. A fluid dispenser as in claims 1 to 8 wherein said body or lid has a means for preventing the formation of vacuum in said body.
10. A fluid dispenser as in claims 1 to 9 wherein said body accepts an icepack for cooling the fluid therein and said icepack also serves as lid.
11. A fluid dispenser as in claim 1 to 10 wherein said handle has any shape other than an arc shape.
12. A fluid dispenser as in claim I to 11 wherein dispenser is of unitary construction.
13. A fluid dispenser as in claims 1 to 12 wherein said base has a means for collecting and disposing spilled or waste fluid.
14. A fluid dispenser as in claims 1 to 13 wherein said body, handle, base, tap, lid or icepack are made of metal, plastics, glass, fibreglass, ceramic, thermochromic, photochromic materials or any other materials or combinations thereof.