Abstract: A supply assembly for use with a hydrant comprising a first supply valve adapted for coupling to a first supply line of the hydrant and a second supply valve adapted for coupling to a second supply line of the hydrant. A housing contains a first drain valve and a second drain valve. The first supply valve is coupled to the first drain valve for permitting water to be drained from the first supply line when a first outlet of the hydrant is off, and the second supply valve is coupled to the second drain valve for permitting water to be drained from the second supply line when a second outlet of the hydrant is off. The first supply valve is above the second supply valve to permit radially compact nesting of the first supply valve and the second supply valve. Related assemblies, valves and methods are provided.

Abstract: A supply assembly for use with a hydrant comprising a first supply valve adapted for coupling to a first supply line of the hydrant and a second supply valve adapted for coupling to a second supply line of the hydrant. A housing contains a first drain valve and a second drain valve. The first supply valve is coupled to the first drain valve for permitting water to be drained from the first supply line when a first outlet of the hydrant is off, and the second supply valve is coupled to the second drain valve for permitting water to be drained from the second supply line when a second outlet of the hydrant is off. The first supply valve is above the second supply valve to permit radially compact nesting of the first supply valve and the second supply valve. Related assemblies, valves and methods are provided.

Abstract: A water dispenser of a drinking fountain includes a water dispenser, an inner block and a control valve. The water dispenser has a receiving space to receive the plastic inner block made. A water channel and water inlet are recessedly formed on both ends of the inner block, wherein the water channel is corresponding to the water outlet of the water dispenser, and two engaging holes are spacedly formed on one side of the water channel and water inlet. The engaging holes are corresponding to connecting holes of the water dispenser. The major tubing inside the water dispenser is composed of a plastic inner block, the contact area between the water flow and the metal surface of the water dispenser is reduced so as to avoid accumulation of harmful heavy metal in the water when the water is flowing or stored, to achieve the goal of providing safe drinking water.

Abstract: A liquid food fountain comprises a center barrel having a top opening and a bottom opening and a plurality of stackable modules (16, 14, 12, 10) adapted for a slip fit on the center barrel (20). Each module has a tier (16) extending around the center barrel (10). A liquid collector (24) is adapted to be placed below the modules. An auger (34) assembly is adapted to fit inside the center barrel to carry liquid entering the center barrel at the bottom opening to the top opening. A drive module is connectable to the auger assembly. The described parts can be assembled for use and disassembled for cleaning and storage.

Abstract: An adjustable height water drinking fountain includes a generally horizontal water drinking fountain body having front and rear ends, and an upper surface containing a water collecting basin. The fountain body is pivotally connected at its rear end with a vertical support for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot axis. A normally closed water supply valve is operable to supply water to a faucet adjacent the basin via a supply conduit, and a drain pipe serves to remove water from the basin. Each of the water supply and drain conduits includes at least one flexible portion to permit the pivotal movement of the fountain body, whereby the fountain body can be pivoted upwardly of downwardly from a normal horizontal position for use by a standing person or by a person seated in a wheel chair.

Abstract: An adjustable height water drinking fountain includes a generally horizontal water drinking fountain body having front and rear ends, and an upper surface containing a water collecting basin. The fountain body is pivotally connected at its rear end with a vertical support for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot axis. A normally closed water supply valve is operable to supply water to a faucet adjacent the basin via a supply conduit, and a drain pipe serves to remove water from the basin. Each of the water supply and drain conduits includes at least one flexible portion to permit the pivotal movement of the fountain body, whereby the fountain body can be pivoted upwardly of downwardly from a normal horizontal position for use by a standing person or by a person seated in a wheel chair.

Abstract: A fountain for heating and/or cooling a beverage comprises one or more heating and/or cooling elements that are configured to adjust a temperature of a beverage that circulates through the fountain. In one embodiment, the beverage fountain includes one or more heating elements located proximate to a basin, a cylinder, and/or a top reservoir of the fountain. In another embodiment, the beverage fountain includes one or more cooling elements located proximate to a basin, a cylinder, and/or a reservoir of the fountain. Alternatively, the beverage fountain may include both heating and cooling elements located proximate to a basin, a cylinder, a reservoir, and/or other locations of the fountain, wherein a selection device, such as an electrical switch or control module, may be adjusted by a user in order to select heating or cooling of the beverage.

Abstract: A volcano food fountain is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the volcano food fountain includes a fountain base having a bowl, a simulated volcano carried by the fountain base in the bowl, a pump provided in the simulated volcano and communicating with the bowl, a volcano opening provided in the simulated volcano and communicating with the pump and a tray carried by the fountain base.

Abstract: A liquid food fountain comprises a center barrel having a top opening and a bottom opening and a plurality of stackable modules (16, 14, 12, 10) adapted for a slip fit on the center barrel (20). Each module has a tier (16) extending around the center barrel (10). A liquid collector (24) is adapted to be placed below the modules. An auger (34) assembly is adapted to fit inside the center barrel to carry liquid entering the center barrel at the bottom opening to the top opening. A drive module is connectable to the auger assembly. The described parts can be assembled for use and disassembled for cleaning and storage.

Abstract: This invention discloses an air-heating symbiositic drinking fountain apparatus comprising: a drinking fountain, a spiral pipe, a motor and a gas exhaust pipe. The drinking fountain is installed in an automobile seat cabin, and the spiral pipe is installed in the gas exhaust pipe. The spiral pipe has a water outlet disposed at an end and connected to a water outlet position of the drinking fountain, and a water inlet disposed at another end and connected to a motor. The motor is connected to a connecting pipe and disposed between the water storage position of the drinking fountain and the motor. When the automobile is running, a high temperature is produced in the gas exhaust pipe, and the spiral pipe will be heated by the high temperature. When the water in the drinking fountain passes through the spiral pipe, the water is heated up for its use.

Abstract: A fountain for heating and distributing fluidic material is manufactured using various processes and materials. In one embodiment, the fountain includes a heating element encased in an enclosure. A basin containing a medium, such as chocolate, is removably mounted to the enclosure so that the basin is heated by contact with the enclosure. Additionally, an auger having a spiral flight rotates and lifts the melted chocolate upward to a top end of a cylinder that houses the auger. One or more tiers may be mounted, using various locking mechanisms, onto the cylinder to divert flow of the medium. A smaller chocolate fountain that may advantageously be more suitable for home use is also described herein.

Abstract: A confectionary fountain assembly enables user to self-serve confectionary liquid, such as liquid chocolate. The fountain assembly comprises a base assembly, a conduit assembly, a functional sculpture, and an annular basin. The base assembly supports a bowl-shaped receptacle and houses a heating element and a motor assembly for respectively providing chocolate-liquefying thermal energy and rotational movement. The conduit assembly is coupled to the motor assembly and the receptacle and comprises a liquid chocolate lifting auger. The sculpture assembly receives the lifted chocolate and imparts pressure thereto for further directing the chocolate to a sculpture outlet. The chocolate, upon exiting the outlet, covers an outer decorative surface of the sculpture and returns to the receptacle.

Abstract: A fountain for heating and distributing fluidic material is manufactured using various processes and materials so that the fountain is more easily cleaned and sanitized, has improved performance, and is easier to assemble. In one embodiment, the chocolate fountain includes a heating element encased in an aluminum enclosure. A basin containing chocolate is heated by contact with the aluminum enclosure. Because the aluminum enclosure has a relatively high thermal conductivity, the basin is heating substantially uniformly, thus reducing the occurrence of hot spots. Additionally, a plastic auger having a spiral flight rotates and lifts the melted chocolate upward to a top end of cylinder that houses the auger. The use of a plastic auger advantageously eliminates welding artifacts on the auger, such as burrs and pits, on which melted chocolate may accumulate. Accordingly, the plastic auger is easy to clean. A smaller chocolate fountain that may advantageously be more suitable for home use is also described herein.

Abstract: A fountain for heating and distributing fluidic material is manufactured using various processes and materials so that the fountain is more easily cleaned and sanitized, has improved performance, and is easier to assemble. In one embodiment, the chocolate fountain includes a heating element encased in an aluminum enclosure. A basin containing chocolate is heated by contact with the aluminum enclosure. Because the aluminum enclosure has a relatively high thermal conductivity, the basin is heating substantially uniformly, thus reducing the occurrence of hot spots. Additionally, a plastic auger having a spiral flight rotates and lifts the melted chocolate upward to a top end of cylinder that houses the auger. The use of a plastic auger advantageously eliminates welding artifacts on the auger, such as burrs and pits, on which melted chocolate may accumulate. Accordingly, the plastic auger is easy to clean. A smaller chocolate fountain that may advantageously be more suitable for home use is also described herein.

Abstract: A protective cover is provided for substantially enclosing and protecting a bubbler head of a drinking fountain or the like against contamination when water flow to the bubbler head is turned off. In one preferred form, when the water flow is turned on, the protective cover is hydraulically elevated or pops up to a raised position permitting substantially unimpeded projection of a water stream from the bubbler head for drinking, etc. In an alternative preferred form, the bubbler head is hydraulically elevated or pops to a raised position within a stationary protective cover when the water supply is turned on for substantially unimpeded projection of water stream from the bubbler head through an open flow port formed in the cover.

Abstract: A fountain for heating and distributing fluidic material is manufactured using various processes and materials so that the fountain is more easily cleaned and sanitized, has improved performance, and is easier to assemble. In one embodiment, the chocolate fountain includes a heating element encased in an aluminum enclosure. A basin containing chocolate is heated by contact with the aluminum enclosure. Because the aluminum enclosure has a relatively high thermal conductivity, the basin is heating substantially uniformly, thus reducing the occurrence of hot spots. Additionally, a plastic auger having a spiral flight rotates and lifts the melted chocolate upward to a top end of cylinder that houses the auger. The use of a plastic auger advantageously eliminates welding artifacts on the auger, such as burrs and pits, on which melted chocolate may accumulate. Accordingly, the plastic auger is easy to clean. A smaller chocolate fountain that may advantageously be more suitable for home use is also described herein.

Abstract: A bird bath includes a bird bath basin adapted to hold water, a water reservoir adapted to hold water, and an electrically operated pump adapted to pump water from the reservoir to the basin. The pump has an inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir and an outlet in fluid communication with a flow opening positioned in the lowest part of the base. When the pump is operating it pumps water from the reservoir, through the flow opening, and into the basin. When the pump is not operating, water in the basin drains under gravity flow through the flow opening, through the pump and into the reservoir. As a result, the basin may be automatically filled and drained at selected times during the day. A mechanism, such as a timer or photocell, may be provided for controlling operation of the pump. The bird bath may include a heater for heating the water in the reservoir. The basin can be mounted on a base, or alternatively it can be mounted on a structure such as a deck, fence, post or building.

Abstract: A portable, pet-actuated drinking fountain includes a reservoir container received in a housing and a movable platform which is depressed against a spring when a pet steps on it. Downward movement of the platform by the pet closes a switch that connects battery power to a pump that provides a gentle bubbling of water from the container via a vertical spigot reachable by the pet. Excess water drains back into the reservoir container through a filter screen. When the pet steps back off the movable platform, the pump is deactivated. One or more movable platforms may be associated with a single reservoir container and arrange to actuate the pump.

Abstract: A device for displaying advertising in association with a drinking fountain or water fountain is disclosed. A first embodiment of the invention comprises forming a clear plastic panel or laminate to conform with the splash guard and basin portions of a drinking fountain. The plastic panel or laminate includes advertising information attached to the plastic or disposed between lamination layers of the plastic. Alternatively, a slot for receiving advertising may be formed in the plastic so that the advertising may be periodically replaced. The formed plastic is then situated over the existing combination splash guard/basin of a corresponding water fountain. Advertising is viewable in the vertical splash guard area as well as the basin area. In a second embodiment, a plastic member is molded or formed in the shape of a water fountain splash guard/basin and the plastic member replaces the original stainless steel splash guard/basin of the water fountain.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a combination of elements which allow a drinking fountain to be freely moveable within a range of positions. Mobility is achieved by supporting a fountain in cantilever fashion at the end of an arm which is mountable to a supporting structure in a manner which allows the arm to pivot relative to the supporting structure. A drinking fountain in accordance with the invention provides the advantage of being moveable, within its range of motion, to a position which provides optimal access and comfort to a user.

Abstract: A barrier-free water cooler construction as disclosed comprising an enclosure having a forwardly projecting cabinet section having a single basin on the upper side thereof and providing for access by handicapped persons. The invention includes a water dispensing system including a control valve mechanism which is operated by any one of three actuating push bars located on the front and laterally opposite sides of the enclosure. The water system includes a unique water precooling arrangement to reduce cooling energy requirements and may be provided with a glass or similar receptable filler option which, like the aforesaid moveable actuating push bars, is adapted for motion-impaired or otherwise handicapped users.

Abstract: There is disclosed a safety fountain head for drinking fountains, bubblers, and the like, which comprises a body that is formed of a resilient, impact-absorbing plastic having a bulbous shape and a dependent neck which receives a tubular metal sleeve member that distally bears means for attachment of the head to a conduit and which terminates within the body as a tubular member having a leg portion angularly disposed to the sleeve. The body has a discharge port which communicates with the open end of the leg portion and also has a drain and aeration passageway which communicates from an undersurface of the body to a drain and aeration port in the sleeve member. The sleeve member is metallic and is embedded within the plastic body which is molded to the sleeve member during its manufacture. The sleeve member has a peripheral rib to enhance its retention within the molded-on plastic body.

Abstract: A lawn sprinkler is provided with a first female hose fitting disposed in fluid communication with a housing having a base and interior chamber in fluid communication with the first fitting and a second fitting in fluid communication with the chamber. A sprinkler head is provided having a third fitting dimensioned and configured for engagement with the second fitting. The head has a plurality of petals representing a flower which has a plurality of fluid passageways disposed therein extending to the surface of the petals. The sprinkler head may be luminous and may also be selectively removed and replaced by a dished bird bath structure having a fitting cooperatively dimensioned and configured for engagement with the second fitting.