Abstract:
A water recycler is designed to recycle waste water from a drip-type humidifying system. A water reservoir is provided with an opening to accept a drain line from the existing humidifier system. Additional fresh water is added into the reservoir to maintain a preset level via a float valve. The system is further provided with an internal pump which is activated by an existing furnace switch. The pump draws water from the reservoir and supplies it to the humidifier for reuse. As water is consumed by the humidifier, it is replenished by the fresh water system to ensure an adequate supply of water at all times.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation-in-part of, was first described in, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/894,597, filed Oct. 23, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a cover configured to be placed over a water shut-off valve and enable actuation of the shut-off valve while the cover is in place. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Dry air is one (1) of the major causes of nose bleeds, respiratory infections, colds, and flu. Proper humidity in one&#39;s home can increase the indoor air quality of your home or office, and combat the negative effects of dry air and dehydration. Dry air is often more prevalent in winter months when heating systems operate, as the heat tends to dry air out. Many combat such dry air with central humidifiers attached to their HVAC systems. While such systems do work, they tend to waste large quantities of freshwater which is simply routed down the drain. This water not only represents money going down the drain, but is also especially disconcerting during times of water shortages, and increased emphasis on ecologically friendly products. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which excess drain water from central humidifying systems can be easily recycled in an effort to address the problems as described above. The development of the present invention fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     As such, a need was observed, where a reservoir is disposed close to a humidifier to recycle the waste water. The reservoir preferably is a rectangular enclosure having an interior, a means to receive waste water from the humidifier, a means to transfer water stored therein back to the humidifier, and a control means. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier hose that transfers the waste water from the humidifier to an inlet fitting of a top surface of the reservoir. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a pumping mechanism stored within the reservoir to transfer the stored water within the reservoir, through a pump hose that is routed through the reservoir for connection to a water intake of the humidifier. The pump is controlled by the control means, which is preferably a pump relay controlled by a power switch and mounted on an external surface of the reservoir. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a float valve connected to one of the sidewalls of the reservoir for providing automatic levelling of the water within the reservoir, mainly to ensure that the pumping mechanism is submerged at all times. Make-up water is transferred from a water source through a fill hose and is regulated via the float valve to fill the reservoir as needed. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an overflow fitting connected to a sidewall of the reservoir, above the location of the float valve, to provide a way to drain the enclosure as necessary. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an access port to allow cleaning, manual filling, or manual draining of the reservoir as needed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a water recycler  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the water recycler  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is an electrical block diagram of the water recycler  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the water recycler  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  water recycler 
               20  reservoir 
               22  top surface 
               23  bottom surface 
               24   a  first side surface 
               24   b  second side surface 
               24   c  front side surface 
               24   d  rear side surface 
               30  screw cap 
               40  fill nipple 
               50  float valve 
               55  float 
               60  power switch 
               65  wiring 
               80   a  first fitting 
               80   b  second fitting 
               80   c  third fitting 
               80   d  fourth fitting 
               80   e  fifth fitting 
               92  drain 
               100  pump 
               110  pump-inlet port 
               120  pump-outlet port 
               130   a  first hose 
               130   b  second hose 
               130   c  third hose 
               130   d  fourth hose 
               150  power cord 
               155  power source 
               160  pump relay assembly 
               170  solenoid valve 
               175  control switch assembly 
               180  water source 
               200  humidifier 
               210  furnace 
               300  water 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a water recycler for a furnace humidifier (herein referred to as the “device”)  10 , which provides a means to collect emitted drain water from an existing humidifier  200 , retain it in a reservoir  20 , and directed it back into the humidifier  200  via a pump  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective and sectional views of the device  10 , in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  is used to recycle waste water  300  from an existing drip-type humidifying system  200 . The device  10  utilizes a reservoir  20  to collect and recycle waste water  300  emitted from the humidifier portion  200  of a furnace  200 . 
     The reservoir  20  preferably comprises a rectangular vessel suitable for holding liquid water  300  and is preferably fabricated from a polymer material; however, other materials and configurations may be used without deviating from the teachings of the device  10 . The reservoir  20  further comprises a top surface  22 , a bottom surface  23 , a first side surface  24   a , an opposing second side surface  24   b , a front side surface  24   c , and an opposing rear side surface  24   d . A first fitting  80   a , preferably being a panel-mounted barbed fitting, is connected to a first hose  130   a  and installed upon an inlet aperture located on the top surface  22  of the reservoir  20 . A first hose  130  has a first end attached to the first fitting  80   a  and a second end adapted to be attached to a drain of a humidifier  200 , through which waste water  300  from the humidifier  200  enters the reservoir  20 . The inlet aperture leads to an interior cavity portion of the reservoir  20  and enables the drain water  300  from the humidifier  200  to be collected in the reservoir  20 . This drain water  300  would normally be disposed of with the typical set-up of a drip-type humidifier system  200 ; however, the waste water  300  is redirected into the device  10  via the first fitting  80   a  and first hose  130   a  portions for recycling. 
     Additionally, fresh make-up water  300  is supplied to the device  10  from a pressurized water source  180  via a second hose  130   b  being attached to the reservoir  20  using a barbed-type second fitting  80   b  and a float valve  50 , being disposed upon a second side surface  24   b  of the reservoir  20 . The float valve  50  maintains a consistent level of water  300  within the reservoir  20 . The float valve  50  is preferably a mechanical type capable of permitting or obstructing a flow of water  300  and having a pivoting float  55  type actuator; however, other styles and configurations of valving may be utilized without deviating from the teachings of the device  10 . The float  55  exhibits a specific buoyancy within the water  300  of the reservoir  20 . As the level of the water  300  changes, the relative position of the float  55  with respect to the float valve  50  changes. When a pre-determined level of depletion of recycled water is obtained within the reservoir  20 , the float  55  position conditions the float valve  50  to permit fresh water  300  to flow into the reservoir  20  until a level of the water  300  is restored, whereby the float valve  50  obstructs the inflow of the water  300 . The float valve  50  also ensures that the pump  100  is submerged at all times and that a consistent and adequate supply of water  300  is provided to the humidifier  200  for proper operation. 
     Waste water  300  from the humidifier  200  and make-up water  300  from the water source  180  enters the reservoir  20  through first hose  130   a  and second hose  130   b  portions, respectively. The water  300  is subsequently supplied to the humidifier  200  by an internal submersible pump  100  using a third hose  130   c . The pump  100  is housed within the reservoir  20  and is preferably an electrically powered positive displacement or diaphragm-type pump; however, other pumps  100  may be utilized without deviating from the teachings of the device  10 . The pump  100  is provided with a pump-inlet port  110  and a pump-outlet port  120 . The pump  100  is to be submerged in the water  300  contained within the reservoir  20 , receives the water  300  through the pump-inlet port  110  and expels the water  300  under pressure out of the pump-outlet port  120 . The third hose  130   c  is connected to the pump-outlet  120 , which is routed from the pump-outlet  120  through a sealing grommet-like third fitting  80   c  which enables sealed penetration of the top surface portion  22  of the reservoir  20 . The third hose  130   c  is in turn routed and adapted to be placed into fluid communication with a water-intake portion of the existing humidifier  200 , thereby replacing the original water supply hose previously connected to the humidifier  200 . 
     The pump  100  is placed into electrical communication with an external electrical power source  155  via a pump relay assembly  160 , a power switch  60 , and an extending power cord  150 , each being arranged in a series manner. The power cord  150  is to be plugged into the electrical power source  155 , which is envisioned to be a standard 110-volt electrical outlet (also see  FIG. 3 ). 
     A top surface  22  of the reservoir  20  is provided with an access aperture, such as a fill nipple  40  in fluid communication with the reservoir  20  interior. A cap  30  is removably attached to the fill nipple  40  to provide access into the interior of the reservoir  20  for purposes of cleaning, maintenance, and the like. 
     The reservoir  20  also provides a means to dispose of overflow water  300  in an event of a failure of the float valve  50 . A fourth fitting  80   d , preferably being a panel-mount barbed fitting, is installed upon an upper portion of a first side surface  24   a  of the reservoir  20 . A fourth hose  130   d  has a first end attachable to the fourth fitting  80   d  and a second end adapted to be attached to an existing drain system  92  such as a floor drain or the like, in order to conduct any overflow water  300 . This ensures that in the event the float valve  50  malfunctions, or a surge of water  300  is received, the excess water  300  has a means to exit and drain from the reservoir  20 . Furthermore, during times when the device  10  is shut off for some reason, the fourth fitting  80   d  and fourth hose  130   d  provide disposal of the waste water  300  from the humidifier  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an electrical block diagram of the device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is energized by plugging the power cord  150  into a power source  155 , such as an outlet, and turning the power switch  60  to an “on” position. Electrical power is then supplied to the pump relay assembly  160  which is disposed upon the top surface  22  of the device  10 . The pump relay assembly  160  is adapted to be placed in electrical connection with particular wiring portions  65  of the furnace  210 , such as a fan or other component, which provides an output current during the times that the furnace  210  is activated. The current from the furnace  210  is utilized to switch the pump relay assembly  160  causing power from the power source  155  to energize the pump  100 , thereby causing water  300  to be pumped through the second hose  130   b  to supply water  300  to the humidifier  200 . 
     The pump relay assembly  160  provides a means to electrically connect the pump  100  to the electrical power source  155 . The pump relay assembly  160  further includes a power switch  60  preferably being an on/off toggle-type switch. When in an “on” position, the power switch  60  provides a current to the pump relay assembly  160 . The pump relay assembly  160  in turn supplies electrical power to the pump  100  upon receiving a switching current from the existing furnace  210  via an interconnecting wire  65  having a grommet-style fifth fitting  80   e  which acts to seal the wire  65  as it exits the top surface  22 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. Such an alternate embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, the float  55  is in mechanical communication with a solenoid valve  170 . A control switch assembly  170  is then disposed between the electrical relay  160 , the pump  100 , and the solenoid valve. In certain embodiments, the control switch assembly  170  is a toggle switch. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring a model of the device  10 ; connecting a supply of fresh water  300  to the reservoir  20  by connecting the second hose  130   b  to a water source  180  at a distal end, and to the second fitting portion  80   b  of the reservoir  20  at the proximal end; allowing the float valve  50  to fill the reservoir  20  with water  300  enough to submerge the pump  100 ; routing and connecting the distal end of the fourth hose  130   d  to a drain  92 , and connecting the proximal end of the fourth hose  130   d  to the fourth fitting portion  80   d  of the reservoir  20 ; routing and connecting a distal end of the first hose  130   a  to the drain tube of an existing humidifier  200  and the proximal end of the first hose  130   a  to the first fitting portion  80   a  of the reservoir  20 ; routing and connecting the third hose  130   c  to a water intake portion of the humidifier  200 ; ensuring that the power switch  60  is placed in an ‘off’ position; connecting particular wiring  65  from the furnace  210  such as a fan or the like, which provides an output current during the times that the furnace  210  is activated, to the pump relay assembly  160 ; plugging the power cord  150  into an electrical power source  155  such as a duplex outlet; placing the power switch  60  in an ‘on’ position; operating the humidifier  200  in a normal manner; allowing the humidifier  200  to provide excess waste water  300  to the reservoir  20  to be recycled through the device  10 ; allowing the pump  100  to supply water to the humidifier  200  when the furnace  210  is in operation; selecting the ‘off’ position of the power switch  60  when it is no longer desired to employ the device  10 ; allowing the disposal of the waste water  300  from the humidifier  200  through the fourth hose  130   d  to a drain  92  during times when the device  10  is shut off; and, benefiting from the conservation and recycling of waste water  300  from a humidifier  200  afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.