Patent Application
20050087257
The present invention generally relates to the dispersion of items within a liquid to be dispensed. In one embodiment, a self-chlorinating water dispenser is provided.
It has long been known to disperse various items into potable water supplies, such as fluorine and chlorine. Water chlorination and filtration systems have been used in the past to eliminate potentially harmful bacteria from potable water. It would be desirable to provide an efficient and economical way to disperse items into liquids such as a potable water supply for consumer use.
The objects mentioned above, as well as other objects, are solved by the present invention, which overcomes disadvantages of prior water dispensers, while providing new advantages not believed associated with such devices.
In one preferred embodiment, a device is provided for dispersing an item within a dispensable liquid, which may be but need not be contained within a container such as a bottle. The device may include a rotating, indexing mechanism carrying a piercing feature, such as a piercing nib. The indexing mechanism may but need not have a spring-loaded plunger associated with it, so that the indexing mechanism may be permitted to interfere with the device/liquid container engagement, such as threaded engagement. The device may also include a support ring positioned adjacent the indexing mechanism. The support ring may have compartments carrying discrete, predetermined portions of the item to be dispersed within the liquid, such as gel capsules. The support ring may be but need not be rigidly attached to and rotate with the rotating mechanism. The item portions may be designed to disperse a predetermined amount of the item within the liquid upon being contacted by the piercing feature. The device may be designed to engage and be in liquid communication with a liquid container for dispensing. To aid in dispersion, an absorbent pad may be positioned below the support ring.
The device may but need not include a filtration device such as a filter cartridge.
The items to be dispersed within the liquid may include gels, powders, tablets or capsules. Dispersible items may include but not be limited to chlorine, fluorine, iodine, other chemicals, vitams, food or flavoring agents, nutrients, etc. The dispensable liquid may be water, such as potable water, coffee, soft drinks, Kool-Aid, sports drinks, etc.
The novel features which are characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and attendant advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate currently preferred embodiments of the present invention. As further explained below, it will be understood that other embodiments, not shown in the drawings, also fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Set forth below is a description of what are currently believed to be the preferred embodiments and/or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to these preferred embodiments are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent.
The liquid dispenser and its dispersion apparatus of the present invention may be used with various types of liquid dispensers. In a preferred embodiment, the chlorinator may be used with the filter shutoff mechanism disclosed in co-pending U.S. Ser. No. ______, titled “WATER DISPENSER HAVING VARIABLE FILTRATION CAPACITY AND REPLACEABLE CARTRIDGE FILTER,” filed on the same day as this patent application, and incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
Referring first to
Referring now to
In a preferred embodiment, a filter may be installed on a water bottle, such as a filter cartridge used with the filter shutoff mechanism and also disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. ______ Referring back to
Referring now to
Retention ring 16 preferably supports disc 13. A tab or locator 17, as shown in
Retention ring 16 may be ultrasonically welded or otherwise fixed to dispenser canister 10.
The number of gel tablets located along ring 13 may depend on the desired frequency of dispersion.
In operation of the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, chlorination ring 13 and retention ring 16 may remain fixed in position. Indexing mechanism 12 of dispensing canister 30 may be caused to rotate incrementally as water bottles are refilled, and as further explained in co-pending U.S. Ser. No. ______. Gel tablets 14 may be sized and located about ring 13 so as to maintain a predetermined amount of chlorine within chlorine pad 18, causing a predetermined amount of chlorine to be constantly and automatically applied to the water being dispensed.
It will now be understood that any items other than chlorine may be dispensed using the present invention, such as fluorine, iodine, food flavorings, antibiotics, food additives or food colorings, vitamins, etc. Also, tablet or gel dispensing may occur within liquids other than water, such as coffee, soft drinks, Kool-Aid, etc. Additionally, the “tablets” may consist of any sufficiently fluid substances, which may be liquid or gel, and viscous or runny, provided that the substance is sufficiently fluid to permit dispensing upon puncture. It may be envisioned that granular or powdery substances within a sealed compartment may also be pierced or otherwise exposed using the invention to disperse such materials into a dispensable liquid.
It will be appreciated that the present invention may be employed with successive (filled) new water bottles or other water containers. Alternatively, the invention may be used with the same water bottle, which may be filled again and again.
The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. Rather, it is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes are intended to be covered by the following claims.
