WO2005058506A1 - Systeme de bouteille d'eau reremplissable - Google Patents

Systeme de bouteille d'eau reremplissable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005058506A1
WO2005058506A1 PCT/US2003/036475 US0336475W WO2005058506A1 WO 2005058506 A1 WO2005058506 A1 WO 2005058506A1 US 0336475 W US0336475 W US 0336475W WO 2005058506 A1 WO2005058506 A1 WO 2005058506A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
lever
water
configuration
container
cap
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2003/036475
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Eugene T. Williams
Claudia L. Williams
Blair Sutton
Original Assignee
Williams Eugene T
Williams Claudia L
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Williams Eugene T, Williams Claudia L filed Critical Williams Eugene T
Priority to PCT/US2003/036475 priority Critical patent/WO2005058506A1/fr
Priority to AU2003291540A priority patent/AU2003291540A1/en
Publication of WO2005058506A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005058506A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/0029—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D39/00—Closures arranged within necks or pouring openings or in discharge apertures, e.g. stoppers
    • B65D39/06—Balls

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to portable bottled water dispensers and, more particularly, to a refillable water bottle system which ensures that the outlet of a water container received and in use by a bottled water dispenser is sealed before an inlet port of the container may be opened.
  • a conventional water cooler/dispenser receives the neck of an inverted water bottle and dispenses water theref om. When the water bottle is empty, it must be removed from the cooler and a new water bottle must be carried, lifted, and mounted atop the cooler. This operation can be very awkward and is especially challenging or even impossible for persons unable to lift heavy objects or whose mobility, stability, or dexterity is diminished.
  • a traditional portable water bottle weighs about 45 pounds.
  • a refillable water bottle system includes a container having a neck capable of being received by a conventional water cooler/dispenser unit, the neck defining an outlet aperture.
  • the container also includes a cap releasably coupled to a top wall of the container, the cap defining an inlet port.
  • the cap also includes a pair of levers for selectively sealing and unsealing the inlet port and outlet aperture.
  • the levers are pivotally coupled to the cap and are arranged such that the lever for sealing/unsealing the outlet aperture completely covers the lever for sealing/unsealing the inlet port when the inlet port is sealed and the outlet aperture is unsealed. Therefore, the inlet port may not be unsealed/opened until the outlet aperture is sealed and, inversely, the outlet aperture may not be unsealed until the inlet port is sealed/closed. This is important in that opening the inlet port releases the partial vacuum that exists inside the container during normal usage which, in turn, allows water in the container to completely flow out of the outlet aperture if it remains unsealed. Obviously, this causes a significant mess.
  • the refillable water bottle system further includes a pump for conveying bottled water from a refill bottle into the main container.
  • the pump may be mounted to the conventional water cooler unit or to a special cart suited for transporting a refill water bottle. Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a refillable water bottle system that enables a user to consume bottled water without having to lift and mount replacement water bottles. Another object of this invention is to provide a water bottle system, as aforesaid, which prevents a user from mistakenly or inadvertently releasing the vacuum within a water bottle (i.e. opening the inlet port) prior to sealing the outlet aperture thereof.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide a water bottle system, as aforesaid, which prevents a user from mistakenly or inadvertently unsealing the outlet aperture prior to sealing/closing the inlet port.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to provide a water bottle system, as aforesaid, having a cart particularly suited for transporting a refill water bottle.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a water bottle system, as aforesaid, having a self-priming pump for conveying water from a refill water bottle into a main water container mounted atop a water dispenser unit.
  • a still further object of this invention is to provide a water bottle system, as aforesaid, in which the pump is mounted to the cart.
  • FIG. 1 is perspective view of a refillable water bottle system according to the present invention in use with a conventional water cooler/dispenser unit;
  • Fig. 2a is a side view of a water container as in Fig. 1 removed from the water cooler/dispenser unit;
  • Fig. 2b is a sectional view of the water container taken along line 2b-2b of Fig. 2a;
  • Fig. 3 a is a perspective view of a cap as in Fig. 1 with first and second levers in closed and unsealed configurations, respectively;
  • Fig. 3b is a perspective view of a cap as in Fig. 1 with first and second levers in closed and sealed configurations, respectively;
  • Fig. 1 is perspective view of a refillable water bottle system according to the present invention in use with a conventional water cooler/dispenser unit;
  • Fig. 2a is a side view of a water container as in Fig. 1 removed from the water cooler/dispenser unit;
  • FIG. 3 c is a perspective view of a cap as in Fig. 1 with first and second levers in open and sealed configurations, respectively;
  • Fig. 4a is a perspective view of the cap as in Fig. 3b taken from another angle;
  • Fig. 4b is a sectional view taken along line 4b-4b of Fig. 4a;
  • Fig. 4c is a sectional view as in Fig. 4b with first and second levers in closed and unsealed configurations, respectively;
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the cart as in Fig. 1 with a refill water bottle removed. Description of the Preferred Embodiment A refillable water bottle system according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to Figs.
  • the refillable water bottle system 20 includes a main container 22 constructed of a durable plastic material such as a transparent engineering thermoplastic.
  • the container 22 includes a generally rectangular configuration and is capable of holding about five gallons of water (Fig. 1) although containers of other sizes, volumes, and configurations would also be suitable.
  • the container 22 includes a bottom that forms a neck 24 with the lower end of the neck defining an outlet aperture.
  • the neck 24 may be received in a top opening of a conventional water dispenser unit 6.
  • the configuration of the container 22 is substantially similar to that of a conventional portable water bottle that may be used with a conventional water cooler/dispenser unit 6 (Fig. 1). The basic function of a conventional water dispenser unit 6 is understood.
  • a water dispenser unit 6 defines a top opening adapted to receive the neck of an inverted water bottle and includes a reservoir into which water from the water bottle is dispensed via gravity. As the water is flowing out in this situation, the bottle is an "open system.” Water flowing from the bottle into the reservoir is exchanged with air until the bottle is empty or until the water level in the reservoir is above the neck aperture of the bottle. The latter case is a “closed system” in which the neck opening is sealed and prevents air from being exchanged for water. Since air cannot enter the reservoir or bottle, water cannot leave. This circumstance creates a partial vacuum at the top of the bottle because the bottle is sealed and gravity is still pulling the water down.
  • the main container 22 includes a top wall 26 that defines a circle-shaped top opening.
  • the container 22 also includes a cap 30 that may be threadably coupled to the top wall 26 so as to cover the top opening. This cap 30 is selectively removable for cleaning purposes and the like. The cap 30 seals the top opening when threadably coupled thereto.
  • the cap 30 includes a partial dome-shaped structure 32 that defines an interior chamber in communication with the interior of the container 22, as to be described more fully below.
  • the cap 30 also includes a top wall 34 defining an inlet port 36 and a one-way air valve 38 (Fig. 3 c).
  • a top wall 34 defining an inlet port 36 and a one-way air valve 38 (Fig. 3 c).
  • the second lever 44 is fixedly or integrally attached to a pin 46 that is pivotally coupled at opposed ends to a post 48 and a side wall 50 of the dome-shaped structure 32.
  • the pin 46 extends completely through the side wall 50 as to be further described later and the hole through the side wall 50 is sealed with an O-ring 52 or the like.
  • the first lever 40 is pivotally coupled to the pin 46 and is rotatable thereabout. It is understood that the pin 46 operates as a pivot axis for both levers.
  • the second lever 44 includes a length that is greater than a length of the first lever 40 and may completely cover the first lever 40 at certain configurations as to be described below.
  • the first lever 40 is pivotally movable about the pivot axis established by the pin 46 between a closed configuration covering the inlet port 36 and an open configuration displaced 180° from the inlet port 36.
  • a cork 42 or rubber stopper is fixedly attached to a bottom side of the first lever 40 and includes a configuration complementary to that of the inlet port 36 for sealing the inlet port at the closed configuration (Figs. 3a and 3b). Therefore, moving the first lever 40 from a closed configuration to an open configuration releases the partial vacuum within the container 22 and allows water to flow out the outlet aperture in a water/air exchange if the outlet aperture is not sealed. Therefore, the second lever 44 operates an assembly for selectively sealing and unsealing the outlet aperture.
  • the end of the pin 46 that extends through the side wall 50 of the dome structure 32 is fixedly attached to a flange 54 (Fig. 4b).
  • the flange 54 in turn is connected to a ball valve 58 with a cord 56, thereby suspending the ball valve 58 in the container (Figs. 1 and 2b).
  • the ball valve 58 is constructed of a material having a density greater than the density of water such that it does not float. It is understood that the flange 54 is situated within the interior of the dome structure that is in communication with the interior of the container 22. A pivotal movement of the second lever 44 operates the pin 46 and the flange 54 such that the ball valve 58 is either raised or lowered relative to the neck 24 of the container 22.
  • the second lever 44 may be rotated about the pivot axis established by the pin 46 between a first configuration in which the ball valve 58 seals the outlet aperture (Figs. 3b and 3c) and a second configuration in which the ball valve 58 is spaced above the outlet aperture (Figs. 2b and 3a).
  • a fundamental problem with a refillable water bottle system is that a user may inadvertently open the inlet port 36 and thereby release the internal vacuum prior to sealing the outlet aperture. This immediately changes a "closed system” into an “open system” and permits all of the water remaining in the container to flow out of the outlet aperture as it is replaced by air drawn in through the inlet port 36.
  • first 40 and second 44 levers of the present invention operate pivotally about a single horizontal pivot axis established by the pin 46. Further, the second lever 44 is larger than the first lever 40. Still further, the levers are independently operable. Therefore, when the first lever 40 is at its closed configuration and the second lever 44 is at its unsealed configuration, the first lever 40 is completely covered by the second lever 44 so as to make the first lever 40 inaccessible (Fig. 3a).
  • the outlet aperture is unsealed and the inlet port 36 is closed, thus allowing normal dispensing of water from the container 22 using the conventional water dispenser unit 6.
  • the user may desire to move the first lever 40 to its open configuration so as to expose the inlet port 36 for refilling.
  • the second lever 44 obstructs the first lever 40 (Fig. 3a) and must first be rotated to its sealed configuration (Fig. 3b) before the first lever 40 may be operated.
  • opening the inlet port 36 will not cause the container 22 to drain uncontrollably (Fig. 3c).
  • the refillable water bottle system 20 further includes a self-priming pump 60 that is capable of conveying water from a refill water bottle 10 through the inlet port 36 and into the container 22. This eliminates the need to lift and mount refill bottles.
  • the system 20 further includes a cart 70 particularly designed for transporting a refill water bottle 10 (Fig. 5).
  • the cart 70 includes a framework having a base portion 72 and a handle portion 84.
  • the base portion 72 includes a pair of generally upstanding support braces 74 and a support plate 74 coupled thereto in a generally perpendicular configuration.
  • a pair of guide bars 78 are attached to the base portion 72 and extend radially outwardly along the support plate 74.
  • the guide bars 78 help to stabilize' a refill bottle's position on the support plate 74.
  • a pair of wheels 71 are rotatably coupled to the base portion 72 with an axle or other suitable means.
  • the handle portion 84 includes an upstanding member 86 and an upper member 88 extending at a generally 45° angle from the upstanding member 86 and is ergonomically beneficial to a user.
  • the cart 70 further includes a support leg 80 pivotally coupled to the base portion 72 at a point where the support braces 74 converge for attachment to the handle portion 84 (Fig. 5).
  • the support leg 80 may be pivotally moved between a collapsed configuration parallel to the upstanding member 86 of the handle portion 84 and an extended configuration in which the free end thereof is displaced from the base portion 72. In the extended configuration, the cart 70 may be supported by the support leg 80 in a rearwardly tipped orientation for use.
  • a hook bracket 82 is coupled to the upstanding member 86 of the handle portion 84 for releasably retaining the neck of a refill water bottle 10.
  • the pump 60 may be coupled to the upstanding member 86 of the handle portion 84 although being coupled directly to the water dispenser unit 6 would also be suitable for certain applications. More particularly, handle attachment of the pump 60 would be useful for refill bottles that must be transported to multiple water dispenser units, e.g.
  • refill water bottles for use with the present invention include a cap 30 having an air port 14 and includes a straw 16 depending therefrom into the bottle. Therefore, water may be suctioned out of the refill bottle upon an operation of the pump 60.
  • the cap 30 and straw 16 may be a separate accessory.
  • One end of a second tube 68 is connected to the pump 60 while an opposed end thereof may be connected to the inlet port 36 of the main container 22. Therefore, an operation of the pump 60 conveys water from a refill water bottle 10 into the main container 22.
  • the cap 30 includes a one-way air valve 38 which allows air to be displaced from the container 22 by the refill water. It is understood that there is no risk of air escaping through the one-way air valve 38 during normal operation in that air is actually trying to enter the container in that context as water is being dispensed.
  • the pump 60 may include various control elements and a control panel 62 may be coupled to the upper member 88 of the handle portion 84 of the cart 70 for operation thereof.
  • the control panel 62 may include a manual on/off button 64 of a type in which the user must hold the button down in order for the pump to operate. Of course, an automatic mode of operation would also be possible and would include certain safeguards to prevent overfilling.
  • control panel 62 may include conventional timer circuitry such that the pump 60 would run for a certain amount of time corresponding to a predetermined volume of water.
  • the container 22 may include volume indicia (not shown) to assist a user in setting the timer appropriately. For example, if the container needs two gallons of water to be added, the user may set the pump timer to run for a predetermined time in order to add just the right amount of water to the container 22.
  • the system may include feedback sensors to aid in the refill process. More particularly, a water sensor may be employed for detecting that water still remains in the refill water bottle. An overflow sensor (float valve or pressure sensor) may be used in the container 22 to prevent overfilling.
  • the pump 60 may be powered by current from a standard wall outlet or by a rechargeable battery. Accordingly, the refillable water bottle system 20 enables a user to enjoy the benefits of bottled water without having to lift, invert, and mount heavy portable water bottles. This system also enahles a user to conveniently refill the main water container 22 without inadvertently allowing water in the container 22 to flow out its outlet aperture. It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

Un système de bouteille d'eau reremplissable (20) comprend un récipient (22) possédant un goulot (24) définissant un orifice de sortie et se logeant dans un distributeur d'eau de bouteille classique (6). A l'opposé du goulot (24), le récipient (22) comprend un bouchon (30) définissant un orifice d'entrée (36) par lequel l'eau entre dans le récipient. Un premier levier (40) est accouplé au bouchon (30) et est mobile pivotant autour d'un axe horizontal entre une configuration fermée dans laquelle il recouvre l'orifice d'entrée (36) et une configuration ouverte dans laquelle il est enlevé de cette dernière. Un second levier (44) est accouplé au bouchon (30) et est mobile pivotant autour du même axe horizontal. Un clapet-bille (58) est suspendu dans le récipient et est attaché au second levier (44), si bien que le mouvement de ce dernier induit l'obturation ou l'ouverture de l'orifice de sortie. Le second levier (44) est plus grand que le premier (40) et est aligné longitudinalement avec celui-ci, ce qui rend le premier levier (40) inacessible lorsqu'il est en position fermée et que le second levier (44) est en position d'ouverture. Ainsi, l'utilisateur ne peut ouvrir l'orifice d'entrée (36) avant d'obturer l'orifice de sortie.
PCT/US2003/036475 2003-11-17 2003-11-17 Systeme de bouteille d'eau reremplissable WO2005058506A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2003/036475 WO2005058506A1 (fr) 2003-11-17 2003-11-17 Systeme de bouteille d'eau reremplissable
AU2003291540A AU2003291540A1 (en) 2003-11-17 2003-11-17 Refillable water bottle system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2003/036475 WO2005058506A1 (fr) 2003-11-17 2003-11-17 Systeme de bouteille d'eau reremplissable

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005058506A1 true WO2005058506A1 (fr) 2005-06-30

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ID=34699469

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2003/036475 WO2005058506A1 (fr) 2003-11-17 2003-11-17 Systeme de bouteille d'eau reremplissable

Country Status (2)

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AU (1) AU2003291540A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2005058506A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104555140A (zh) * 2014-12-07 2015-04-29 宁波保税区华萌生物科技有限公司 饮水机桶

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5611459A (en) * 1995-07-12 1997-03-18 Eaucool Canada Inc. Method of converting an inverted bottle water dispensing system for use with an automatic bottle refill system
US6626213B2 (en) * 2000-09-26 2003-09-30 Whirlpool Corporation Drink dispenser device for domestic refrigerators
US6648184B1 (en) * 2002-06-13 2003-11-18 Eugene T. Williams Refillable water bottle system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5611459A (en) * 1995-07-12 1997-03-18 Eaucool Canada Inc. Method of converting an inverted bottle water dispensing system for use with an automatic bottle refill system
US6626213B2 (en) * 2000-09-26 2003-09-30 Whirlpool Corporation Drink dispenser device for domestic refrigerators
US6648184B1 (en) * 2002-06-13 2003-11-18 Eugene T. Williams Refillable water bottle system

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104555140A (zh) * 2014-12-07 2015-04-29 宁波保税区华萌生物科技有限公司 饮水机桶

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003291540A1 (en) 2005-07-05

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