Cold water tank and parts thereof

Abstract

A probe for use in a system for dispensing water from a water bottle having a neck extending to an open mouth covered by a cap. The system includes a water bottle receptacle adapted to hold an inverted water bottle. The probe is positioned centrally and upright within the receptacle so as to be inserted through the mouth and pierce or lift a central portion of the cap of the bottle when said bottle is positioned in an inverted position within said receptacle. The probe comprises an elongate vertically upright tubular member extending from an upper portion to a lower seat portion, said upper portion being positioned within the bottle when said bottle is positioned within the receptacle, said upper portion defining an opening therein, in communication with a passageway within the tubular member, said passageway extending through to a lower opening defined in the seat portion. The upper portion of the tubular member including an upwardly tapering head, and a compressible resilient portion positioned below said head, connecting the head to the tubular member. The compressible resilient portion allows the head to have its angular orientation altered relative to the vertical axis of the tubular member if the head is subject to non vertically oriented forces when the probe inserted through the mouth of the bottle.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/500,269 filed Sep. 5, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a probe or piercing spike utilized in water dispensing systems for piercing or opening caps of water bottles. A further aspect of the invention relates to a seal fitting for a cold water tank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In known water dispensing systems, a water bottle includes a sealing cap covering its mouth at the top of its neck. To dispense water, the bottle is inverted and placed within a water bottle receptacle of the water dispenser. The water bottle receptacle includes a probe (or piercing spike), positioned to pierce or dislodge a central portion of the cap and enter the interior of the water bottle. The probe includes an upper opening formed therein, such upper opening being positioned within the interior of the bottle, and a passageway extending from the upper opening through to a lower opening in the probe, the lower opening communicating with a water reservoir. Thus, the probe provides a conduit from the bottle to the water reservoir, where water may accumulate, be cooled and/or heated and ultimately dispensed by draining the reservoir through a faucet. When the water level in the reservoir falls below the bottle mouth, air in the reservoir can enter the bottle, release more water into the reservoir.

Some known caps for water bottles include an outer cap portion, having a skirt portion which is adapted to be sealingly engaged with the mouth of the bottle. The outer cap typically includes a central tube portion joined to the skirt portion by an annular base. The tube extends from the annular base to a free end, the tube defining the passageway for water flow and the opening through which the probe will be inserted. In some systems, an inner cap is releasably sealingly engaged to the free end of the central tube, and as the bottle is inserted into the water bottle receptacle, the probe lifts the inner cap off the outer cap tube. The probe, then communicating with the interior of the bottle, allows water to pass to the water reservoir. If the inner cap is simply dislodged from the outer cap by the probe, water will tend to leak out of bottle if the bottle is removed from the cooler prior to being empty, the bottle will be unsealed and subject to contamination once removed from the cooler, and cap will float into the water causing the less than desirable appearance of a floating object in drinking water. Thus, in some known systems, the inner cap is designed to stay lodged on the head of the probe, in tight fit engagement therewith as the probe is inserted through the tube. In such known systems as the water bottle is removed from the water bottle receptacle, and the probe withdrawn through the central tube, the inner cap is designed to be repositioned upon the free end of the tube in sealing engagement therewith, thereby resealing the cap and allowing the water bottle to be lifted off without water leakage.

Some known systems which utilize such a water bottle cap and probe arrangement which are intended to keep the inner cap positioned on the probe when the probe is inserted in the bottle, for various reasons, may tend to inadvertently cause the inner cap to dislodge from the of the probe, and thus prevent resealing of the cap upon withdrawal of the bottle from the water receptacle. Once cause for such inadvertent dislodgement occurs when the bottle is inserted into water receptacle and the probe inserted through the cap tube at an angle to the vertical, as is not uncommon when hoisting a heavy water bottle. If the bottle cap engages the probe at an angle thereto as opposed to straight downwardly along a vertical axis of the probe, the inner cap may not be positioned on the head of the probe correctly to allow for snug fit engagement therewith and thus may become dislodged. An improved probe utilized with such systems is required.

Furthermore, in water dispensing systems when a water bottle has a small hole or crack, the vacuum hold on the water in the system in accordance with Pascal's law becomes lost and water will leak out of the dispenser, unless additional measures are taken to prevent water from leaking out. In known dispensing systems, the interface between the water receptacle and top of the water tank may be a source of leakage as known seals between the water tank and bottle receptacle do not adequately prevent water loss. An improved seal is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for an improved probe to be utilized with a water dispensing system utilizing inverted water bottles.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a probe for use in a system for dispensing water from a water bottle, said bottle having a neck extending to an open mouth of the bottle, the mouth being covering by a cap, said system including a water bottle receptacle adapted to hold an inverted said water bottle, said probe being positioned centrally and upright within the receptacle so as to be inserted through the mouth and pierce or lift a central portion of the cap of the bottle when said bottle is positioned in an inverted position within said receptacle, said probe comprising: an elongate vertically upright tubular member extending from an upper portion to a lower seat portion, said upper portion being positioned within the bottle when said bottle is positioned within the receptacle, said upper portion defining an opening therein, in communication with a passageway within the tubular member, said passageway extending through to a lower opening defined in the seat portion, said upper portion of the tubular member including a head, and a compressible resilient portion positioned below said head, connecting the head to the tubular member, said compressible resilient portion allowing the head to have its angular orientation altered relative to the vertical axis of the tubular member if the head is subject to non vertically oriented forces as the probe is inserted through the mouth of the bottle.

The probe of the invention utilized in a water dispensing system allows a bottle of water to be inserted into a bottle receptacle of the water dispensing system at an angle to the vertical, while allowing the inner cap to be engaged with the probe.

A preferred embodiment of the probe includes a head tapered to a conical portion, or point, and the compressible portion under the tapered head has at least one and preferably a plurality of even spaced beads or extrusions. When placing the bottle on the bottle receptacle at any angle, the tapered head of the probe will lead through the bottle mouth to enter and insert the inner seal cap correctly, and preferably keep the inner seal cap engaged on the probe by means of the beads/extrusions on the compressible portion engaging a lip of the inner seal cap.

There is also a need for an improved seal fitting for a cold water tank. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an improved seal is provided between the water receptacle and the water tank, preventing leakage of water. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, there is provided a resilient sealing ring for forming a seal between an upper open portion of a water tank defined by a water tank wall and an element of a dispensing system said element positioned within the upper open portion of the tank adjacent interiorly the wall of the tank around the entire circumference thereof, so as to seal water within the tank below the seal, said sealing member comprising a central upper portion, an inner member extending downwardly from one side of the central portion and an outer member extending downwardly and outwardly from an opposite side of the central portion, each member having an inside and an outside surface, the outer member being longer than the inner member, the inner member adapted to be sealingly engaged with the element around the circumference of the element and when the inner member is so sealingly engaged with the element, the outside surface of the outer member is positioned to sealingly engage the interior of the tank wall, thereby providing a seal between the element and the tank wall, preventing water from leaking through the top of the tank over a top edge thereof. Preferably, the portion of the tank wall which engages the outer member tapers inwardly as it extends downwardly.

Other advantages, features and characteristics of this aspect of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water dispensing system in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a probe in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a probe in accordance with the invention, illustrating the probe head in an altered angular position;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a magnified drawing of the upper circled portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5: is the magnified drawing of the lower circled portion showing the screw thread part.

FIG. 6 is a schematic section view of an embodiment of a bottle cap and bottle with which the probe of the herein invention may be utilized

FIG. 7 is part main cutaway view of a water dispensing system illustrating an embodiment of a sealing ring in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 8 is main cutaway view of the bottle receptacle shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 9 is main cutaway view of an embodiment of a cold water tank in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a part magnified drawing of a top side of cold water tank of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 11 is a part magnified drawing illustrating a sealing ring sealingly engaged between an element of the water dispensing system and the tank wall in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, an example embodiment of probe 10 is used in a system 100 for dispensing water from a water bottle 12, said bottle having a neck 18 extending to an open mouth 20, the mouth being covering by a cap 14. The system 100 includes a water bottle receptacle 16 adapted to hold an inverted said water bottle 12. The probe is positioned centrally and upright within the receptacle so as to be inserted through the mouth 20 and pierce or lift a central portion of the cap 14 of the bottle when said bottle is positioned in an inverted position within said receptacle in the direction of arrow A, as shown in FIG. 7. The probe 10 includes an elongate vertically upright tubular member 22 extending from an upper portion 23 to a bottom seat portion 19. The upper portion is fully inserted through the bottle mouth when the bottle is positioned within the receptacle. The upper portion defines at least one opening 24 therein, in communication with a passageway within the tubular member. The passageway extends through to a lower opening defined in the seat portion 19. When the probe is secured within the water dispensing system, such as by means of threaded engagement of the threaded portion 11, the lower opening communicates with a water reservoir, from which water may be dispensed in a known manner, such as through faucets 88. The upper portion of the tubular member includes a head 26, which is preferably upwardly tapering to an upper conical point. A compressible resilient portion 28 is positioned below the head, connecting the head to the tubular member 22. The compressible resilient portion 28 and head 26 preferably have a circumference which is less than that of the tubular member. A plurality of beads 30 are regularly spaced around the outer surface of the compressible resilient portion. The compressible resilient portion 28 allows the head to change its angular orientation relative to the vertical axis of the tubular member if the head is subject to non vertically oriented forces such as a force in the direction of arrow C (shown in FIG. 2a) which may occur if the probe is inserted through the mouth of the bottle 20, when the bottle is not in a fully inverted position. If the bottle is positioned over the probe when not fully inverted (i.e. at an angle to the vertical), the head of the probe may tend to contact the cap at an off center position, and thus the head may be subject to a force in the direction of Arrow C. The head 26 of the herein invention, shown in FIG. 2a has an altered angular orientation to the vertical, which may facilitate proper attached to an inner cap 42, as will be discussed below.

As shown in FIG. 6, in one type of cap with which the probe of the invention may be used, the cap 14 includes an outer cap portion 32, having a skirt portion 34 adapted to be sealingly engaged with the mouth 20 of the bottle, and a central tube portion 36 joined to the skirt by an annular base 38, the tube extending to a free end 40, said free end having an inner cap 42 releasably sealingly engaged therewith, the probe ideally being insertable through the tube in a direction of arrow A. The head 26 engages and lifts the inner cap 42 off the free end 40. The inner cap 42 is releasably secured to the head 26 by retaining means, such as a lip 44 engaging beads 30 of the probe. The at least one opening 24 is positioned within the bottle creating a passageway for water flow from the bottle to the receptacle. As the bottle 12 is lifted out of the water receptacle 16, the inner cap 42 sealingly reengages the free end 40 and the head releases from engagement from the inner cap.

The compressible portion 28 includes at least one bead 30, and preferably a plurality of beads, regularly spaced around the circumference and each preferably having a smooth outer surface, extending radially outwardly from an outer surface the compressable portion, although such beads may be positioned anywhere on the upper portion 23 of probe if desired and be of any desired shape. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the inner cap 42 forms an inner cavity 46, sized and shaped to snuggly hold the probe head in releasable engagement therewith, said inner cavity having an inwardly extending lip 44 extending around an outer portion 45 of said inner cavity, said lip adapted to be inserted over and releasably engage the lower portion of the beads 30.

If a water bottle cap engages the head of the probe at an angle to the vertical, such as indicated by arrow B, the head 26, being capable of changing its angular orientation to the tubular member 22, will be caused to adjust its angular orientation relative to the tubular member 22 (such as is shown in FIG. 2a), so as to center the head 30 within the inner cavity 46 of the cap such that the head will be inserted within and snuggly fit therewithin regardless of the angle of entry of the probe.

It should be understood that the exact shape and size of the inner cap and head may vary as desired provided that the head may be snuggly fit within the cavity of the inner cap. Furthermore, it should be understood that this probe may be used with water dispensing systems that do not include an inner cap and outer cap arrangement as discussed above, rather it may be utilized in systems with a cap having centrally positioned tear lines, through which the probe may be inserted. It should be understood that the probe in accordance with the invention may have a tapered head to facilitate piercing of caps designed with tear slots and with small projections spaced radially around the top portion of the piercing spike to retain sealing cap inside of its lip.

The seat portion 19 includes an outer threading 11 formed therein adapted to be threadably engaged within mating threaded recesses in an opening defined in the bottom of the bottle receptacle, thereby providing releasable sealing engagement of the probe within the water system. Although, it should be understood that the probe may be attached within the system in any known manner.

A further aspect of the invention attempts to solve a further problem associated with water dispensing systems by providing an effective seal fitting between the cold water tank and the bottle receptacle, the seal improving in strength as the water pressure becomes greater. This is achieved by placing and shaping the seal in a precise manner on an interface between the water bottle receptacle and the water tank. This aspect of the invention comprises: a seal fitting for a water tank within a water dispensing system, the system including a cold water tank, a cooler cover, a bottle receptacle, bottle, a fixed piece, and a bracket piece. Typically the fixed piece is fastened to the cooler cover, and the cold water tank is adapted to hang on the fixed piece. The bottle receptacle is installed above the cold water tank, supported by the cooler cover, and the bottle is placed upside down on the bottle receptacle. The bracket installed to the bottle receptacle between cold water tank inside wall and bottle receptacle and an outer portion thereof extends within the tank wall adjacent the entire circumference of the upper portion of the inner tank wall, the invention characterized in that the airproof seal ring is secured between outer portion of the bracket to the inside wall of the tank. The seal ring is approximately an inverted “J” shaped, comprising an inner member and an outer member each having an inside and an outside surface and extending from a central inverted “u” shaped portion, the outer member being longer than the inner member. The inner member is preferably inserted in a clip on the inside of a groove of the bracket, and the outer member extends downwardly and outwardly to an outer end, and its thickness diminishes as it extends outwardly. The outer member outside surface is adapted to engage the inside wall of the tank below its top, with the short side and bottom of the ring engaging the bracket simultaneously thereby creating a seal, between the bracket and the inner tank wall, preventing water from leaking out of the tank, over the top edge thereof.

Preferably, the sealing ring includes at least one semicircle protuberance on the inside surface of the inner member. The seal described and shown has the following advantages: 1) because the seal ring is not normal flat circular shape, but rather has an outer member protruding downwardly and outwardly, and is engaged between a bracket secured to the bottle receptacle and water tank, with outer surface of the seal engaging the wall of the tank, in this case, when water leaks from inside to outside, below the seal, the seal outside flank is further pressed against the tank wall, and also as the water pressure increases, the further the pressure of the outer member outside surface against the wall of the tank, thus increasing the seal as the pressure increases; 2) preferably, the portion of the cold water tank wall which is adjacent to and contacts the seal ring, has a side wall tapering inwardly as it extends downwardly. The function of this tapered side wall of the tank is to cause the outer member of the seal to orient downwardly and as the inner tank wall tapers inwardly as it extends downwardly, thereby increasing the surface contact between the outer surface of the tank wall and improving the seal; 3) the leading feet set up on the bracket, function to ensure even spacing of the bracket with respect to the cold water tank walls, 4) the sealing ring may include at least one small semicircle protuberance set up on the inner member or inverted “u” portion of the seal ring, which assist can make the seal ring fasten within the clip of the bracket.

With reference to the FIGS. 7 to 11, the preferred embodiment of the seal 8 is utilized with a water cooler system 1, having a bottle receptacle 2, bottle 3 invertedly inserted within the bottle receptacle, a fixed piece 4, a cold water tank 5, secured to the fixed piece, a bracket 6 mounted to the bottle receptacle, leading feet 7, and seal ring 8. Preferably seal ring is made of silicone rubber. Other components are plastic.

The water cooler system has fixed piece 4 fixed to cooler cover 1, prerably fixed there with screws. The fixed piece forms a semicircle flange, matching with the round arc 5-1 side of the top of cold-water tank. The cold water tank hangs on the fixed piece 4 by means of the round arc 5-1 side hanging thereover. The bottle receptacle 2 is installed on the cold water tank, the bottle receptacle area is bigger, and has an outer rib propped against the the fixed piece 4 and cooler cover 1. A bottle 3 is inverted and insertable within the center of the bottle receptacle. A bracket 6 is positioned between the bottle receptacle and cold water tank, the seal ring 8 installed between the groove on the bracket and the cold water tank inside wall. The seal ring 8 is approximately an inverted “J” shaped, comprising an inner member 8-3 and an outer member 8-1 each having an inside 8-4 and an outside surface 8-5 and extending from a central inverted “u” shaped portion, the outer member being longer than the inner member. The inner member is preferably inserted in a groove 6-1 on the inside of a groove of the bracket 6, and the outer member extends downwardly and outwardly to an outer end, and its thickness diminishes as it extends outwardly. The outer member outside surface is adapted to engage the inside wall of the tank below its top, with the short side and bottom of the ring engaging the bracket simultaneously thereby creating a seal, between the bracket and the inner tank wall, preventing water from leaking out of the tank, over the top edge thereof.

The inner member 8-3 is inserted within a clip 6-1 on the inside of groove of bracket (see FIG. 11). The outer member of the seal 8-1 extends downwardly and outwardly, and the thickness thereof diminishes as it extends downwardly toward its end. Semi circle protuberances 8-2 on the inner side of the seal are designed to be placed on the connector between seal ring and clip/groove 6-1, to enhance the seal ring. As seen in FIG. 7, on the bottom of bracket 6, four leading feet 7 are regularly spaced. These leading feet are positioned at regular intervals around the bracket to abut the wall of the cold water tank 5. These lead feet function to ensure even spacing of the bracket with respect to the cold water tank walls. The top of the cold water tank is preferably horn mouth shaped, i.e. ;it has a beveled section 5-2, the top of the bevel is connected with the arc 5-1 of the semicircle, its function is to lead the seal ring.

The preferred water seal system in accordance with this aspect of the invention may have two major parts: seal itself attached between the bottle receptacle, preferably by means of bracket 6 and the cold water tank 5. The tank wall outwardly tapered portion assists the utility of the seal by encouraging the outside surface 8-5 of the outer member 8-1 to engage the tank in a manner which enhances the seal. A plastic seal may be used to seal perimeter of the water tank and bottle receptacle. It is attached to the water bottle receptacle with the lip of the seal pointing downwards to the water in the tank.

There may be protrusions positioned on the bottle receptacle or bracket, extending radially outwardly therefrom, to abut the inside of the cold water tank. These protrusions are used to assist in guiding of the bottle receptacle inside and to keep cold water tank round in shape, as often cold water tanks are not round in shape at the top, due to the stresses and strains in the forming of the rolled steel. Thus these guides perform two primary functions: to help forwardly directed seal lip to enter cold water tank and second duty is in keeping tank round in shape to allow for even space around the seal.

The tapered portion of the cold water tank allows the gradual guidance of the outer member 8-1 of the seal into engagement with the seal wall, and as the wall reduces its diameter, and keeps it pointed downwards to the water in the tank, thereby enhancing the function of the seal.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A probe for use in a system for dispensing water from a water bottle, said bottle having a neck extending to an open mouth of the bottle, the mouth being covering by a cap, said system including a water bottle receptacle adapted to hold an inverted said water bottle, said probe being positioned centrally and upright within the receptacle so as to be inserted through the mouth and pierce or lift a central portion of the cap of the bottle when said bottle is positioned in an inverted position within said receptacle, said probe comprising:

an elongate vertically upright tubular member extending from an upper portion to a lower seat portion, said upper portion being positioned within the bottle when said bottle is positioned within the receptacle, said upper portion defining an opening therein, in communication with a passageway within the tubular member, said passageway extending through to a lower opening defined in the seat portion, said upper portion including a head, and a compressible resilient portion positioned below said head, connecting the head to the tubular member, said compressible resilient portion allowing the head to have its angular orientation altered relative to the vertical axis of the tubular member if the head is subject to non vertically oriented forces when the probe inserted through the mouth of the bottle.

2. A probe as recited in claim 1 wherein said head is upwardly tapering to an upper conical portion.

3. A probe as recited in claim 2, wherein said cap includes an outer cap portion, having a skirt portion adapted to be sealingly engaged with the mouth of the bottle, and a central tube portion joined to the skirt by an annular base, the tube extending to a free end, said free end having an inner cap releasably sealingly engaged therewith, the probe being inserted through the tube, the head engaging and lifting the inner cap off the free end of the outer cap, said inner cap being releasably secured to the head, the opening in the upper portion of the probe being positioned within the bottle creating a passageway for water flow from the bottle to the receptacle, and as said bottle is lifted out of the water receptacle, the inner cap sealingly reengages the free end and the head releases from engagement from the inner cap.

4. A probe as recited in claim 3 wherein the compressible portion includes at least one bead extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the upper portion, the inner cap forming an inner cavity, said cavity sized and shaped to snuggly hold said probe head in releasable engagement therewith, said inner cavity having an inwardly extending lip extending around an outer portion of said inner cavity, said lip adapted to be inserted over and releasably engage the lower portion of said bead.

5. A probe as recited in claim 4 wherein the compressible portion and head have a circumference which is less than that of the tubular member and a plurality of said beads are regularly spaced around outer surface of the compressible portion.

6. A probe as recited in claim 5 wherein if a water bottle cap engages the head of the probe and an angle to the vertical, the head, capable of changing its angular orientation to the tubular member, will be caused to adjust its angular orientation, so as to center the head within the inner cavity of the cap such that the head will be inserted and snuggly fit therewithin.

7. A probe as recited in claim 1 wherein said seat portion includes an outer threading formed therein adapted for threaded engagement with the bottom of the bottle receptacle, thereby providing releasable sealing engagement of the probe within the water system.

8. A probe as recited in claim 5 wherein 4 beads, are regularly spaced around the circumference and have a smooth outer surface.

9. A resilient sealing ring for forming a seal between an upper open portion of a water tank defined by a water tank wall and an element of a dispensing system said element positioned within the upper open portion of the tank adjacent interiorly the wall of the tank around the entire circumference thereof, so as to seal water within the tank below the seal, said sealing member comprising a central upper portion, an inner member extending downwardly from one side of the central portion and an outer member extending downwardly and outwardly from an opposite side of the central portion, each member having an inside and an outside surface, the outer member being longer than the inner member, the inner member adapted to be sealingly engaged with the element around the circumference of the element and when the inner member is so sealingly engaged with the element, the outside surface of the outer member is positioned to sealingly engage the interior of the tank wall, thereby providing a seal between the element and the tank wall, preventing water from leaking through the top of the tank over a top edge thereof.

10. The sealing ring as recited in claim 9, wherein said inner member is sealingly engaged within a groove formed around the circumference of the element.

11. The sealing ring as recited in claim 10 wherein said element is a bracket secured to a bottle receptacle for holding an inverted water bottle which delivers water to the tank below the seal, the bracket being positioned between cold water tank and bottle receptacle.

12. The sealing ring as recited in claim 9 wherein said outer member has a thickness which diminishes as it extends outwardly and downwardly.

13. The seal as recited in claim 11, wherein the bracket further comprises a plurality of leading feet positioned at regular intervals around the circumference of the bracket positioned to abut the wall of the water tank and ensure even spacing of the bracket with respect to the cold water tank wall.

14. The seal as recited in claim 10 wherein the inner surface of the inner member includes semicircular shaped protuberances extending therefrom adapted to enhance sealing engagement within said groove.

15. The sealing member as recited in claim 9, wherein the portion of the cold tank wall which engages the outer member, tapers inwardly as it extends downwardly.