Patent Application
20250188719
The present application relates to a bottle filler, and particularly to a bottle filler suitable for assembling with an existing drinking fountain.
Bottle fillers dispense liquid (e.g., water) to a container. Typically, bottle fillers dispense water from a facility's potable water supply system.
In one independent aspect, a bottle filler is provided for coupling to a drinking fountain that is supported by a structure and that is in fluid communication with a water supply conduit. The bottle filler includes a frame configured to be supported on at least one of the drinking fountain and the structure supporting the drinking fountain; a spigot for dispensing liquid, the spigot supported on the frame; and a connection line in fluid communication with the water supply conduit, the connection line providing water to the spigot.
In some aspects, the frame includes a lower portion having a hole or slot, the hole or slot configured to receive a portion of the structure supporting the drinking fountain.
In some aspects, the structure supporting the drinking fountain includes a plurality of bolts protruding from a wall. The frame includes a lower portion having a plurality of holes or slots, each of the plurality of holes or slots being configured to slide down over one or more of the bolts.
In some aspects, the frame further includes an opening, the opening configured to receive the water supply conduit therethrough.
In some aspects, the bottle filler further includes an actuator. While the actuator is activated, liquid is dispensed from the spigot, and, while the actuator is not activated, liquid is not dispensed from the spigot.
In some aspects, the actuator is a push button.
In some aspects, the frame includes a bottle receiving portion having a central section between two side sections. The actuator is supported on one of the side sections.
In some aspects, the bottle filler further includes a valve for controlling flow to the spigot through the connection line, the valve operable to be opened when the actuator is activated, thereby permitting liquid to be dispensed from the spigot.
In some aspects, the frame includes a lower portion, a bottle receiving portion positioned above the lower portion, and a header positioned above the bottle receiving portion. The lower portion is configured to engage the drinking fountain and/or the structure supporting the drinking fountain. The spigot is positioned on the header.
In some aspects, the frame includes a lower portion. The frame includes a panel above the lower portion configured to at least partially rest on an upper surface of the drinking fountain.
In some aspects, the frame is formed of stainless steel having a powder coat.
In another independent aspect, a method is provided for installing a bottle filler on a drinking fountain that is mounted to a wall. The method includes: disconnecting the drinking fountain from a water supply conduit; at least partially uncoupling the drinking fountain from a supporting structure that protrudes from the wall; moving the drinking fountain away from the wall to form a gap between the drinking fountain and the wall; positioning a portion of a frame of the bottle filler into the gap such that slots in the frame are positioned around the supporting structure of the drinking fountain; connecting a connection line to the water supply conduit with a three-way fitting, the connection line providing water to a spigot supported on the frame; securing the drinking fountain to the wall, the drinking fountain securing the frame against the wall; and re-connecting the drinking fountain to the water supply conduit.
In some aspects, at least partially uncoupling the drinking fountain from the supporting structure includes loosening a plurality of threaded nut that secure the drinking fountain against the wall. Securing the drinking fountain to the wall includes tightening the plurality of threaded nuts.
In some aspects, positioning the portion of the frame into the gap includes positioning an opening of the frame inline with the water supply conduit to permit the water supply conduit to pass through the opening.
In some aspects, each step is performed without cutting or drilling the wall.
In some aspects, positioning the portion of the frame into the gap also includes positioning a tray of the frame on an upper surface of the drinking fountain, the tray configured to direct liquid into a drain of the drinking fountain.
In yet another independent aspect, a bottle filler is provided for coupling to a drinking fountain that is supported on a wall and that is in fluid communication with a water supply conduit. The bottle filler includes a frame configured to be supported on at least one of the drinking fountain and a structure supporting the drinking fountain on the wall, a lower portion of the frame configured to be positioned between the wall and the drinking fountain; a spigot for dispensing liquid; and a connection line configured to be fluidly coupled to the water supply conduit to provide water from the water supply conduit to the spigot.
In some aspects, the lower portion of the frame includes a plurality of holes or slots, the plurality of holes or slots configured to receive a portion of the structure supporting the drinking fountain. The structure supporting the drinking fountain includes a plurality of bolts protruding from or through the wall, each of the plurality of holes or slots being configured to slide down over one or more of the plurality of bolts.
In some aspects, the frame further includes an opening, the opening configured to receive the water supply conduit therethrough.
In some aspects, the bottle filler further includes an actuator and a valve for controlling flow to the spigot through the connection line, the valve operable to be opened when the actuator is activated, thereby permitting liquid to be dispensed from the spigot.
Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect.
In the illustrated embodiment, the bottle filler 10 further includes an actuator (e.g., a push button 30), and flow through the spigot 22 is controlled based on actuation of the push button 30, such that the liquid dispenses from the spigot 22 when the push button 30 is pressed. In some embodiments, actuation of the push button 30 may actuate a valve, thereby causing fluid flow through the spigot 22. The push button 30 may be configured to mechanically actuate the liquid flow without using electrical power (e.g., push button 30 opens a valve (not shown) to cause fluid flow to the spigot 22 through the connection line 26). In other embodiments, the spigot 22 may be controlled using an electrical sensor, and the valve is actuated to dispense liquid when a container is detected in a position near the spigot 22.
As shown in
As illustrated in
The bottle filler 10 may be installed without drilling or cutting into the wall or otherwise having to perform any carpentry work. This can make installing the bottle filler 10 on existing drinking fountains 14 cheaper, easier, more efficient, and safer. It can be especially desirable to not have to cut or drill into existing walls that may contain health hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos), which can require shutting a facility down and remediation from occupancy and/or remediation if the wall is cut or drilled into. As such, the bottle filler 10 may be installed in locations without the complications that would entail the installation of a conventional bottle filler.
One method of installing the bottle filler 10 on an existing drinking fountain 14 is as follows. The drinking fountain 14 may be disconnected from plumbing conduit(s) (if necessary) and partially pulled away from the wall by loosening or unfastening the associated mounting hardware, thereby forming a gap between an end of the drinking fountain 14 and the wall. In some circumstances, as shown in
As shown in
As best illustrated in
The spigot 22 may be attached to the header 50 and located above the bottle receiving portion 46. The header 50 may provide additional space for other components of the bottle filler 10 (e.g., a water filter 52, an anti-microbial treatment system) through which the water may flow before being dispensed through the spigot 22. The connection line 26 may be routed behind the bottle receiving portion 46 and into the header 50 to connect to the spigot 22. The connection line 26 and spigot 22 may be configured to dispense liquid at a flow rate as desired or required by code, regulations, or specifications. In some embodiments, the connection line 26 and spigot 22 may be configured to dispense liquid at approximately 0.5-2.2 GPM. In some embodiments, the connection line 26 and spigot 22 may be configured to dispense liquid at approximately 1.1 GPM.
As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the sides of the bottle receiving portion 46 protrude further from the wall than a center section of the bottle receiving portion 46. The push button 30 may be located on one side of the bottle receiving portion 46. In other embodiments, the push button 30 may be located near the center below the spigot 22 and a user may press the push button 30 (e.g., with the bottle) as the bottle is filled.
In some embodiments, the back of the frame 18 may be positioned flush against the wall when installed to inhibit tampering. In some embodiments, a back plate may be included on the back of the frame 18 to further enclose the components of the bottle filler 10. This can further help protect from tampering or vandalism or from weather conditions (e.g., in outdoor applications).
In some embodiments, the frame 18, including the bottle receiving portion 46 and header 50, may be made of stainless steel and may be powder-coated to provide heat resistance. The heat resistance provided by the powder coating can help keep the bottle filler 10 cool to the touch (e.g., when the bottle filler 10 is exposed to sunlight).
The embodiment(s) described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present disclosure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. Features described and illustrated with respect to certain embodiments may also be implemented in other embodiments. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the disclosure may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting. As such, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications to the elements and their configuration and/or arrangement exist within the spirit and scope of one or more independent aspects as described.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/606,933 filed Dec. 6, 2023, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63606933 | Dec 2023 | US |
