Filtered Water Storage System

Abstract

A filtered water storage system includes a housing having a base wall and a perimeter wall is attached to and extending away from the base wall. The housing has a first length dimension is less than 6.0 inches, a second length dimension is less than 16.0 inches and a third length dimension is less than 20.0 inches. A plurality of tanks is positioned within the housing and each tank includes a water connection. A water conduit positioned in the housing is fluidly coupled to each of the water connections. The water conduit extends through the perimeter wall and has a free end positioned outside of the housing. The free end is configured fluidly coupled to the water filtration system and a spout. The water connections receive filtered water from the water filtration system to fill the tanks with filtered water to be accessed by the spout.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.

The disclosure and prior art relates to water storing devices and more particularly pertains to a new water storing device for storing water in a more efficient manner. Currently, water filtration systems utilize a single, large water tank. Water is supplied to the water tank as water is filtered since the filtration system cannot typically filter water fast enough in an on demand manner. Thus, the water tank stores water for later use as it is need. Water is held in the water tank and is forced out of the water tank by air pressure supplied to the water tank when a user opens a spout coupled to the water tank. However, these water tanks, which are typically placed below a sink, are large and bulky and prevent the area from under the sink from being used for storage purposes as intended.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a housing having a base wall and a perimeter wall is attached to and extending away from the base wall such that an interior is bounded by the perimeter wall. The housing has a first length dimension is less than 6.0 inches, a second length dimension is less than 16.0 inches and a third length dimension is less than 20.0 inches. A plurality of tanks is positioned within the housing and each tank includes a water connection. A water conduit positioned in the housing is fluidly coupled to each of the water connections. The water conduit extends through the perimeter wall and has a free end positioned outside of the housing. The free end is configured fluidly coupled to the water filtration system and a spout. The water connections receive filtered water from the water filtration system to fill the tanks with filtered water to be accessed by the spout.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a filtered water storage system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new water storing device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the filtered water storage system 10 generally comprises a housing 12 that has a base wall 14 and a perimeter wall 16 that is attached to and extends away from the base wall 14 such that an interior 18 is bounded by the perimeter wall 16. The base wall 14 will typically function as a bottom wall if the housing 12 is laid down as shown in FIG. 5 or a back wall if stood upright. The perimeter wall 16 has a distal edge 20 with respect to the base wall 14 and the distal edge 20 defines an opening 22 into the housing 12. A cover 24 is removably positioned on the distal edge 20 to close the opening 22. Fasteners 26 may be extended through the cover 24 and into the distal edge 20 to retain 24 the cover in a closed position though any conventional securing member may be utilized including friction fittings, latches and the like. The cover 24 has an inner surface 28 facing the base wall 14 and an outer surface 30 that is opposite of the inner surface 28.

The housing 12 has a first length dimension from an exterior surface of the base wall 14 to the outer surface 30 of the cover 24 that is less than 6.0 inches. The perimeter wall 16 includes a first lateral wall 32, a second lateral wall 34, a first end wall 36 and a second end wall 38. The housing 12 has an exterior width from the first lateral wall 32 to the second lateral wall 34 that is less than 16.0 inches to define a second length dimension and an exterior depth from the first end wall 36 to the second end wall 38 that is less than 20.0 inches to define a third length dimension. These dimensions allow the housing 12 to be positioned on the bottom of a cabinet 75 under a sink 74 as shown in FIG. 5 so that it fits under sink plumbing while allowing articles to be positioned on the cover 24. In this manner the housing 12 will allow for additional storage in the cabinet 75. Alternatively, the housing 12 may be oriented vertically against a vertical wall of the cabinet 75 or mounted within a dwelling wall between studs in the dwelling wall.

A plurality of tanks 40 is positioned within the housing 12. Each of the tanks 40 is elongated and has a first end 42, a second end 44 and a peripheral wall 46 extending between the first 42 and second 44 ends. The peripheral wall 46 of each of the tanks 40 may have a cylindrical shape. Each of the tanks 40 is positioned within the housing 12 such that each of the first ends 42 is aligned with each other. More particularly, each of the tanks 40 extends from the first end wall 36 to the second end wall 38. The plurality of tanks 40 is at least three tanks 40 and no more than six tanks.

A plurality of water connections 48 is provided and each of the first ends 42 of the tanks 40 has one of the water connections 48 fluidly coupled thereto. A water conduit 50 is fluidly coupled to each of the water connections 48. The water conduit 50 is positioned in the housing 12 and extends through the perimeter wall 18 or elsewhere outwardly through the housing 12 or cover 24. The water conduit 50 has a free end 52 positioned outside of the housing 12. The free end 52 is configured to be fluidly coupled to the water filtration system 76 and a spout 78. In this manner, the water connections 48 are configured to receive filtered water from the water filtration system 76 to fill the tanks 40 with filtered water. Water from the tanks 40 may then be supplied to the spout 78 as needed.

Each of tanks 40 has therein one of a plurality of air bladders 54. The air bladders 40 are expanded to force the filtered water of the tanks 40 and thus drive the filtered water to the spout 78 in a conventional manner. A plurality of air connections 56 is provided and each of the air bladders 58 has one of the air connections 56. An air conduit 57 is positioned in the housing 12 and is fluidly coupled to each of the air connections 56. The air conduit 57 extends through the perimeter wall 18, or elsewhere through the housing 12 or cover 24, and has an outer end 58 positioned outside of the housing 12. The outer end 58 is configured to be fluidly coupled to an air supply, not shown, such that the air supply selectively fills the bladders 54 with pressurized air to expand the air bladders 54 and force the filtered water out of the tanks 40. Typically, a compressor is fluidly coupled to the air conduit 57 to supply compressed air to the air bladders 40 as needed though a compressed air canister may also be utilized.

The base wall 14 has a plurality of base troughs 60 therein wherein each of the base troughs 60 receives one of the tanks 40. The cover 24 also has a plurality of cover troughs 62 therein and each of the cover troughs 62 is aligned with one of the base troughs 60 when the cover 24 is positioned on the housing 12 in a closed position. The cover troughs 62 engage the tanks 40 such that each of the tanks 40 are immobilized and abutted against one of the base troughs 60 and one of the cover troughs 62. The troughs 60, 62 may be a unitary structure with the base 14 and the cover 24 or may be mounted thereon. The troughs 60, 62 form oppositely positioned saddles for holding the tanks 40 in place to prevent damage to the water and air connections.

In use, the system 10 is used in a conventional manner of home water treatment systems wherein tap water is run through a filtration system 76 and then stored for later consumption. However, the tanks 40 have a size such that they fit within the housing 12 and the housing 12 has a first dimension, in particular, which allows it to maintain a low or shallow profile within a cabinet 75. Further, the housing 12 may be sized to fit within a wall adjacent to the cabinet 75.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded.

A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A water storage assembly configured to fluidly engage and store water from a water filtration system, said assembly comprising:

a housing having a base wall and a perimeter wall being attached to and extending away from said base wall such that an interior is bounded by said perimeter wall, said housing having a first length dimension being less than 6.0 inches, a second length dimension being less than 16.0 inches and a third length dimension being less than 20.0 inches;

a plurality of tanks being positioned within said housing; and

a plurality of water connections, each of said tanks having one of said water connections fluidly coupled thereto, a water conduit being fluidly coupled to each of said water connections, said water conduit being positioned in said housing, said water conduit extending through said perimeter wall and having a free end positioned outside of said housing, said free end being configured to be fluidly coupled to said water filtration system and a spout, wherein said water connections are configured to receive filtered water from said water filtration system to fill said tanks with filtered water.

2. The water storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein said perimeter wall has a distal edge with respect to said base wall defining an opening into said housing, a cover being removably positioned on said distal edge to close said opening, said cover having an inner surface facing said base wall and an outer surface being opposite of said inner surface.

3. The water storage assembly according to claim 2, wherein said first dimension is measured from an exterior surface of said base wall to said outer surface of said cover, said perimeter wall including a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, said housing having an exterior width from said first lateral wall to said second lateral wall to define said second dimension, said housing having an exterior depth from said first end wall to said second end wall to define said third dimension.

4. The water storage assembly according to claim 3, wherein each of said tanks is elongated and has a first end, a second end and a peripheral wall extending between said first and second ends, said peripheral wall of each of said tanks having a cylindrical shape, each of said tanks being positioned within said housing such that each of said first ends is aligned with each other, each of said tanks extending from said first end wall to said second end wall, said water connections being positioned on an associated one of said first ends of each of said tanks.

5. The water storage assembly according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of tanks is at least three tanks and no more than six tanks.

6. The water storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of tanks is at least three tanks and no more than six tanks.

7. The water storage assembly according to claim 1, further including:

a plurality of air bladders, each of said tanks having one of said air bladders positioned therein, wherein said air bladders are configured to be expanded to force the filtered water of said tanks; and

a plurality of air connections, each of said air bladders having one of said air connections fluidly coupled thereto, an air conduit being positioned in said housing and being fluidly coupled to each of said air connections, said air conduit extending through said perimeter wall and having an outer end positioned outside of said housing, said outer end being configured to be fluidly coupled to an air supply such that said air supply selectively fills said bladders with pressurized air to expand said air bladders and force the filtered water out of said tanks.

8. The water storage assembly according to claim 2, wherein said base wall having a plurality of base troughs therein, each of said base troughs receiving one of said tanks, said cover having a plurality of cover troughs therein, each of said cover troughs being aligned with one of said base troughs when said cover is positioned on said housing in a closed position, said cover troughs engaging said tanks such that each of said tanks are immobilized and abutted against one of said base troughs and one of said cover troughs

9. A water storage assembly configured to fluidly engage and store water from a water filtration system, said assembly comprising:

a housing having a base wall and a perimeter wall being attached to and extending away from said base wall such that an interior is bounded by said perimeter wall, said perimeter wall having a distal edge with respect to said base wall defining an opening into said housing, a cover being removably positioned on said distal edge to close said opening, said cover having an inner surface facing said base wall and an outer surface being opposite of said inner surface, said housing having a first length dimension from an exterior surface of said base wall to said outer surface being less than 6.0 inches, said perimeter wall including a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, a first end wall and a second end wall, said housing having an exterior width from said first lateral wall to said second lateral wall being less than 16.0 inches and defining a second length dimension, said housing having an exterior depth from said first end wall to said second end wall being less than 20.0 inches and defining a third length dimension;

a plurality of tanks being positioned within said housing, each of said tanks being elongated and having a first end, a second end and a peripheral wall extending between said first and second ends, said peripheral wall of each of said tanks having a cylindrical shape, each of said tanks being positioned within said housing such that each of said first ends is aligned with each other, each of said tanks extending from said first end wall to said second end wall, said plurality of tanks being at least three tanks and no more than six tanks;

a plurality of water connections, each of said first ends having one of said water connections fluidly coupled thereto, a water conduit being fluidly coupled to each of said water connections, said water conduit being positioned in said housing, said water conduit extending through said perimeter wall and having a free end positioned outside of said housing, said free end being configured to be fluidly coupled to said water filtration system and a spout, wherein said water connections are configured to receive filtered water from said water filtration system to fill said tanks with filtered water;

a plurality of air bladders, each of said tanks having one of said air bladders positioned therein, wherein said air bladders are configured to be expanded to force the filtered water of said tanks;

a plurality of air connections, each of said air bladders having one of said air connections fluidly coupled thereto, an air conduit being positioned in said housing and being fluidly coupled to each of said air connections, said air conduit extending through said perimeter wall and having an outer end positioned outside of said housing, said outer end being configured to be fluidly coupled to an air supply such that said air supply selectively fills said bladders with pressurized air to expand said air bladders and force the filtered water out of said tanks; and

said base wall having a plurality of base troughs therein, each of said base troughs receiving one of said tanks, said cover having a plurality of cover troughs therein, each of said cover troughs being aligned with one of said base troughs when said cover is positioned on said housing in a closed position, said cover troughs engaging said tanks such that each of said tanks are immobilized and abutted against one of said base troughs and one of said cover troughs.