Abstract:
A water cooler caddy device for use in conjunction with a water cooler or other beverage dispenser. The water cooler caddy has an arcuate inner surface as an interface with the water bottle and is sized such that it may be placed over the water bottle and slid down so that it either rests on an upper surface of the water cooler, or is supported by the side of the water bottle. The water cooler caddy may have a gap in the circumference so that the radius of the inner surface may be temporarily increased to facilitate installation. Partitions are used to form compartments to contain service items.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/595,908 which was filed on Aug. 16, 2005 and is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application relates to a device for use in conjunction with a water cooler, and more particularly to a device which is mountable to the water cooler for storing objects or materials for convenient use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Water coolers are used in the home and office to dispense bottled water. The water is usually contained in a bottle mounted in an inverted position, and may be dispensed as cooled water or heated water, or both. A user of the water cooler may wish to make a hot or cold drink using the dispensed water, and performing such an act may require a liquid container, the dispensed water, ingredients to be mixed with the water, mixing or stirring implements, and container caps, as examples. 
     SUMMARY 
     A water cooler caddy or storage device is disclosed. The device is configured so as to be positionable around the circumference of a water bottle such that the device can be placed in position either before or after the water bottle is mounted to the water cooler. Further, the device is dimensioned so that it may slide down from the top of the installed water bottle and rest on a surface of the water cooler, or be deformed such that the device may be associated with the water bottle by deforming the device structure so that an opening greater than the diameter of the water bottle is temporarily formed. Alternatively, the device is dimensioned such that an interference fit between the water bottle and a device surface supports the device at a position intermediate between the top and bottom of the water bottle. For a device with fixed dimensions, the interference or sliding fit may be dependent on the dimensions of the water bottle. 
     In an aspect, the device is an annular ring, and the ring may have a gap extending vertically, either partially or fully across the height dimension. In conjunction with the flexibility of the material used to fabricate the ring, the ring may be pulled away from contact with the water bottle, by increasing the effective diameter of the ring, so as to facilitate removing the ring from the bottle. In this state, the ring may be conveniently lifted vertically to disengage the ring from the bottle. Alternatively, the gap may be sufficiently large such that the water cooler caddy may be installed from the front of the water cooler by temporarily spreading the gap and the gap then positioned with respect to the front of the water cooler. Handles may be provided on the ring so as to permit a person to grip the ring for installation or removal, or other projections from the ring may serve the same purpose. 
     The ring may be divided into receptacles or containers for holding various items of utility to the user of the water cooler by either partitions extending between the inner and outer walls of the annular ring, or by trays or receptacles dimensioned to be inserted between the inner and outer walls of the annular ring. 
     Compartments may appended to the ring so as to provide storage for various items, which may include, but are not limited to beverage mixing supplies and materials (such as bottles or jars of drink mixes, prepackaged individual powdered beverage servings, single serving packages of sugar, creamer and the like, lids for cups, stirrers, napkins and the like.) A work shelf may be provided to support a beverage container or supplies while accessing or using any of the items stored in the water cooler caddy. A conical hole may be provided to support disposable conical cups that are used with many water coolers. 
     The water cooler caddy may be provided with additional storage areas or accessories by providing mounting attachment points such that holders for trash bags, paper towels, extra beverage support shelves, powdered or liquid material dispensers may be added as desired for a specific installation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of a water cooler caddy; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1  showing several alternative cross sections; (a) at section A-A; (b) at A-A showing a protuberance; and (c) at section B-B showing a partition; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the water cooler caddy of  FIG. 1  installed on a water cooler; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the water cooler caddy of  FIG. 1  having a compressible interface; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a method of placing the water cooler caddy on the water cooler; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another example of a water cooler caddy; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the water cooler caddy of  FIG. 6  installed on a water cooler; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a method of placing the water cooler caddy on the water cooler 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of yet another example of a water cooler caddy; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the water cooler caddy of  FIG. 9  installed on a water cooler; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a further example of a water cooler caddy having a detachable fixture; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a further example of a water cooler caddy having a detachable fixture installed; and 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the water cooler caddy of  FIG. 12  installed on a water cooler. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments may be better understood with reference to the drawings, but these embodiments are not intended to be of a limiting nature. Like numbered elements in the same or different drawings perform equivalent functions. When a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an example, it will be understood that a person skilled in the art may employ such a feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with the other examples, whether or not explicitly stated herein. 
     In an example shown in  FIG. 1 , a water cooler caddy  1  includes a generally annular shaped ring having a trough-like cross section  8 . An inner surface  3  of the water cooler caddy  1  is sized and dimensioned such that a radius of curvature of the inner surface  3  with respect to a central point is approximately equal to that of a water bottle  23 , the water bottle being intended for use in a water cooler  21 , (see  FIG. 2 ) to which it may be applied. The radius of the inner surface  3  may be less than the radius of the water bottle  23 , in which situation the water cooler caddy  1  will grip the surface of the water bottle  23  when the water cooler caddy  1  is placed in operating position. The radius of the inner surface  3  may be greater than the radius of the water bottle  23 , in which situation the water cooler caddy  1  will slidable with respect to the water bottle  23 , and the lower portion of the trough-like structure  8  may rest on a surface  25  of a water cooler  21  when the water cooler caddy  23  is placed in an installed position. In the situation where the radius of the inner surface  3  is essentially equal to the radius of the water bottle  23  the water cooler caddy  1  may either be supported by gripping the surface of the water bottle  23  or rest on the water cooler  21 , depending on such factors as the weight of the water caddy  1 , the coefficient of friction between the water caddy inner wall  3  and the water bottle  23 , and any deformations of the surface of the water bottle  23 , whether intentional (such as ribs) or unintentional (such as manufacturing tolerances). The resistance of the water cooler caddy  1  to rotating with respect to the water bottle  23  may thus vary, and may be a design consideration. 
     In cross-section, the annular ring has a trough-like configuration  8 , as shown in  FIG. 2   a , representing a cross-section of the water cooler caddy  1  at line A-A. An inner surface  3 , an outer surface  5 , and a bottom surface  7  serve to retain objects place inside of the trough-like structure  8 . The individual surfaces are shown as having distinct boundaries in  FIG. 2   a  where the surfaces join to one another; however, as shown in  FIG. 2   b , the joining region between the inner surface  3 , the outer surface  5  and the bottom surface  7  may be substantially curved (not shown). The absence of corners in the joining region may facilitate cleaning the device. Further, the inner surface  3  may be deformed in a manner  3   a  which limits the contact area between the inner surface  3  and the water bottle  23 , so as to control the force needed either to install the water cooler caddy  1  or to rotate the water cooler caddy  1  with respect to the water bottle  23 . The trough shapes  8  shown in  FIG. 2  are examples of shapes which may be used, and other shapes will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. 
     At intervals along the length of the trough  8 , partitions  9  are disposed so as to divide the trough  8  into annular segments, receptacles, or compartments  10 . Each compartment  10 , being a region defined by partitions  9 , and the inner  3 , outer  5  and bottom  7  surfaces, may be dimensioned to hold a plurality of single-use materials and objects such as individual packages of sugar, stirrers and the like. A gap  13  is formed in the ring, and the ends of the trough  8  facing the gap  13  are closed by a surface  12 , which also acts as a partition to form a portion of the compartment  10  adjacent to the gap  13 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , the partitions  9  are shown as integrally formed with the inner  3 , outer  5  and bottom  7  surfaces; however, as shown in  FIG. 2   c , at least the inner  3  and outer  5  surfaces may be provided with grooves  9   a , disposed such that a partition  9  may be inserted at a variable spacing along the arcuate trough  8  by providing a plurality of grooves  9   a  at spacings along the trough  8  The grooves  9   a  may extend inward from an inner surface of the inner  3  and outer  5  surfaces of the water cooler caddy  1  towards the compartment  10 , as shown, or be recessed into the inner surfaces. The heights of the partitions  9  may vary, depending on the type and size of the materials to be deposited into the compartment  10 . 
     The water cooler caddy may be fabricated from a variety of engineering materials, which may include metal or plastic. Plastic may be injection molded to form all or part of the water caddy including the partitions. Alternatively, the partitions and the remainder of the water cooler caddy may be fabricated from different materials. 
     Handles  11  may be provided to assist in placing the water cooler caddy  1  on the water cooler  21 . The handles  11  may be disposed so that they are part of the outer surface  5  of the water cooler caddy and disposed on either side of a gap  13 . The handles  11  may be gripped and pulled apart so as to spread the gap  13  and permit the lowering of the water cooler caddy  1  over top of a water bottle  23  as shown in  FIG. 5 , so as to position the water cooler caddy  1  in an operational position on the water cooler  21 . Alternatively, the gap  13  may be sufficiently wide, and the material forming the water cooler caddy  1  be sufficiently flexible so that the gap  13  may be spread by pulling on the handles  11  so as to permit the water cooler caddy  1  to be installed by moving it in a horizontal manner with respect to the water bottle  23  (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     In an aspect, the water cooler caddy  1  may be provided with a shelf  15 . The shelf  15  may have a solid surface (not shown) so that a cup or other container may be placed thereon for convenience in using the water cooler and accessories, or have a hole  17  therein and shaped and dimensioned so as to secure one or more conical shaped or other cups for use with the water cooler. 
     In an aspect, a compressible material may be applied in a strip  33  to the inner surface  3 , facing the water bottle  23  so as accommodate minor dimensional variations in the water bottle  23  or the water cooler caddy  1 , and may also serve to control the force required to lower the water cooler caddy  1  into position; to control the force needed to rotate the water cooler caddy  1  with respect to the water bottle  23 ; and to hold the water cooler caddy  1  in position above the surface  25  of the water cooler  21 . The compressible material, which may be a cellular foam, foam rubber or any resilient material, may be also disposed as short strips or patches  34 . Either or both of the strip  33  and the patches  34  may be provided on the same water caddy  1 , or may be omitted. 
     A pair of keyhole interfaces  19  is a means for mounting modules to the water cooler caddy  1 . Sliding interfaces, clamping interfaces and other means of securing one object to another, depending on the physical attributes of the module and the desire for either temporary of permanent attachment will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. The modules may include cup dispensers, which have a generally cylindrical shape, bottle holders, and the like, and including other shaped containers which might hold stirrers or other objects. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a water cooler caddy  1  such as that shown in  FIG. 1 , installed on a water cooler  21 . In this example, the work shelf  15  is positioned generally in the front of the water cooler  21 , but may be positioned to either side of the front depending on individual access requirements.  FIG. 5  illustrates a method of installing the water cooler caddy  1  on a water cooler  21 , in which the water cooler caddy  1  is raised so as to clear the top of the water bottle  23 , and oriented such that the center of curvature of the inner surface  3  of the water cooler caddy  1  is approximately coaxial with the centroid of the water bottle  23 . The water cooler caddy  1  may then be lowered into the position shown in  FIG. 3 . During the installation process, the handles  11  may be used to spread the gap  13 , thus temporarily increasing the effective radius of curvature of the inner surface  3  so as to facilitate sliding the water cooler caddy  1  downward along the surface of the water bottle  23 . 
     In another example, shown in  FIG. 6 , the inner arcuate surface  3  of a water cooler caddy  2  is sized and dimensioned in a similar manner to that of example shown in  FIG. 1 ; however the outer surface  5  may have a shape that does not conform to the cylindrical shape of the water bottle  23 . The water cooler caddy  2  has an inner surface shape and dimension such that the water cooler caddy  2  either grips the water bottle  23 , or permits the water cooler caddy  2  to be securely held in position with respect to the water bottle  23  while resting on an upper surface of a water cooler  21 , or being fully supported by gripping the water bottle  23 , the situation being dependent on the specific relationship of the radius of curvature of the inner surface  3  of the water cooler caddy  2  and of the water bottle  23 . 
     The outer surface  5  of the water cooler caddy  2  may cooperate with a bottom surface  7  of the water cooler caddy  2  and the partitions  9  to form receptacles  31  of varying shapes to hold materials in a similar manner to that of the previous example. 
       FIG. 7  shows the water cooler caddy  2  in an operating position on a water cooler  21 . The method of installation may correspond to that previously described with respect to  FIG. 5 . In an alternative, shown in  FIG. 8 , the handles  11  may be pulled in opposite directions such that the distance D between opposing sides of the gap  13  is greater than the diameter of the water bottle  23 , such that the water cooler caddy  2  may be mated with the water bottle  23  near the base thereof, without raising the water cooler caddy  2  above the top of the water bottle  23 . This method of installation may also be used for the water cooler caddy  1  shown in  FIG. 1   
     In another aspect, the inner wall  3  may extend further in a vertical direction than the outer wall  5  so that a surface for display of messages, logos or other information is provided. 
     In yet another aspect, either the water cooler  21  or the water cooler caddy are fitted with attachment points so that once the water cooler caddy is installed, the water cooler caddy can remain in place when the water bottle  23  is being replaced. 
     In still another aspect, removable storage bins having arcuate sides, with ends similar to the partitions  9 , and a bottom similar to the trough bottom  7 , and dimensioned so as to be insertable into the trough-like structure  8  may be used in place of one or more partitions  9  in order to provide for removable compartments or receptacles. 
     In yet another example, shown in  FIG. 9 , the water cooler caddy  4  has a complete annular ring without a gap in the ring. The construction and use of this example is similar to the previous examples, and only significant differences are described. The absence of a gap in the ring may serve to increase the structural rigidity of the water cooler caddy  4 . In this example, the radius of curvature of the inner surface  3  may be greater than or equal to that of the water bottle  23  to which it is to be mounted. The water cooler caddy  4  is placed in an operational position with respect to the water cooler  21  by first positioning the opening in the center of the water caddy cooler  4 , bounded by the inner surface  3  above the top of the water bottle  23 , centering the opening in the water cooler caddy  4  with respect to the axis of the water bottle  23 , and lowering the water cooler caddy  4  into the position as shown in  FIG. 10 . It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that, amongst other aspects of the previous two examples, features such as the work surface  15  and the shape of the outer surface  5  shown in  FIG. 6 , may be combined with the complete annular ring of the present example. 
     In an aspect, the water cooler caddy  4  of  FIG. 9  may be sized and dimensioned such that a portion of the inner surface  3  has a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of curvature of the water bottle  23 , such that when the water cooler caddy is placed on top of the water cooler  21 , and the water bottle  23  subsequently installed, the water bottle  21  captivates the water cooler caddy  4  between a surface  25  of the water cooler  21  and the water bottle  23 . 
     In a further example of a water cooler caddy, shown in  FIG. 11 , the overall construction is similar to that shown in  FIG. 1 , and only additional features of the configuration are discussed. The water cooler caddy  1  has a gap  13 , such that it is capable of being positioned on a water bottle  23  with the gap  13  corresponding to the general position of the dispensing nozzle at the front of the water cooler  21 . Flanges  32  (the second flange at the opposing side of the gap is not illustrated) are positioned, sized and dimensioned so as to be able to receive a removable fixture  32 . As illustrated, the fixture is in the form of a platform upon which a cup may be set. However it may have any of the capabilities previously described, or the capabilities of a removable fixture as may be attached to the first example by the keyhole slots  19 . 
       FIG. 12  shows the removable fixture  32  attached to the main body of the water cooler caddy  1  using the flanges  32 , and  FIG. 13  shows the water cooler caddy  1  in position with respect to the water bottle  23  on the water cooler  21 . 
     It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.