Patent Publication Number: US-6712341-B1

Title: Water aerator apparatus

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to devices for aerating water. More particularly, the present invention relates to household water aerator devices wherein consumable water is oxygenated from air passing in the form of bubbles therethrough. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     The demand for water treatment systems is increasing. As population increases, the demand for water also increases. In many areas, clean drinking water may not be readily available. When a population moves from a well-established city with a water system to more remote areas, small scale importable water treatment becomes even more important. If the water treatment can remove the danger of contaminants and also add heathy components, then a double benefit is obtained from such a treatment. 
     One known water treatment method is to add oxygen to the water. Some systems bubble gas containing oxygen through the water so that some of it is retained in the water. This has been shown effective from some types of water treatment that is somewhat expensive and is a slow treatment technique. Another known technique to place oxygen in water is electrolysis, which operates as follows. A voltage is supplied from an electrolytic cell that is immersed in the water. The current flow in the water causes the water molecules to break up into their component parts of oxygen and hydrogen. Hydrogen gas and oxygen gas are thereby freed from the water. Typically, most of the hydrogen gas escapes as a gas from the water, while some of the oxygen gas is dissolved in the water. Unfortunately, such electrolysis devices are both expensive and rather ineffective in introducing oxygen into small quantities of water, such as those utilized in the household environment. Also, there is a possibility of danger because of the imminent relationship of the electrical systems in contact with water systems. 
     In the past, various patents have issued on water purification and oxygenation systems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,556, issued on Dec. 6, 1977 to Rice et al., describes a portable electrolytic apparatus for providing drinking water. The housing includes a receiving chamber and an electrolytic cell. The chamber, the cell and the conduits associated therewith define a continuous path of liquid flow from the filling to the discharge aperture. Two electrodes, offset from the flow path in the cell in opposite, transverse directions, are supplied with direct current for passage of the current in the cell for the fluid flowing therethrough. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,021, issued on Aug. 15, 1978 to T. Okazakai, teaches a water pot with an electrolyzing device. The pot body includes an electrolyzing vessel divided into two chambers by porous partition. The chambers have negative and positive electrodes, respectively, connected thereto. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,119,520, issued on Oct. 10, 1978 to Paschakarnis et al., describes a water purification unit including an electrolytic cell adapted to hold a body of water to be purified and provided with two electrically insulated electrodes. A pump supplies the water between the electrically insulated electrodes so as to drive purified water out of the unit. A power supply is provided for supplying electrolyzing current to the electrodes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,096, issued on Nov. 6, 1984 to T. Okazaki, describes another type of pot-type water purifier with an electrolyzer. The electrolyzing vessel therein is divided into two chambers. The chambers each contain negative and positive electrodes. The electrodes are suitably charged for the purpose of purifying the water. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,735, issued on Sep. 17, 1996 to R. H. Elliott Jr., describes a system for the removal of volatile organic pollutants from drinking water. This device includes an air pump with a hose connected thereto. The hose can extend downwardly into the interior of the container so that air bubbles will bubble upwardly through the liquid within the container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,587, issued on Jul. 7, 1998 to R. A. Davis, teaches a portable, handheld drinking water fountain. This device is suitable for attaching to the aerator associated with the faucet of a standard water faucet The aerated water from the water faucet passes into a chamber and outwardly therefrom as a laminar fountain. The system redirects the downward flow of water into a controlled stream of water which acts as a sanitary drinking fountain. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,756, issued on Oct. 2, 2001 to Hough et al., teaches a portable water purification system, including a portable electrolytic cell for increasing the content of oxygen in the water. The electrolytic cell includes a housing and a set of electrodes. A system control circuit converts an external source of power to a direct current voltage to energize the electroletic cell. The electrolytic cell is mounted to the bottom of the container. 
     Each of these prior art devices teach techniques for the purification of water. However, experiments with the present invention reveal that there is another feature associated with the oxygenating of water which is of health benefit. It is believed that the level of blood oxygen is very important for health. Since arterial blood moves blood oxygen to the outer parts of the body, the greater quantity of oxygen within the blood will allow such oxygen to reach the outer parts of the body. By providing drinking water with a high percentage of oxygen therein, it is believed that the blood oxygen of persons consuming such highly oxygenated water will improve. Ideally, a person should desire 98%-99% saturation of the blood with blood oxygen. Under certain circumstances, it is possible that cancer can be caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood. For example, smokers will typically have a very low level of blood oxygen. By improving the oxygen content of water consumed by the person, it is believed that the blood oxygen levels will increase. Likewise, the health of the person consuming oxygenated water will improve. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an aerator apparatus which increases the oxygen content of consumable water. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an aerator apparatus which automatically aerates a container of drinking water upon placement upon a base. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a water aerator apparatus which maximizes the distribution of air, and its associated dissolvable oxygen throughout the water in the container. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a water aerator apparatus which distributes the air fully and thoroughly throughout the entire container. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a water aerator apparatus which is easy to use, relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a water aerator apparatus comprising a base having a receptacle area formed therein, an aerator having an effluent port at the base, a container removably received within the receptacle area of the base, and an air delivery channel formed on an interior of the container. The container has an influent port opening at the bottom of the container. The influent port is cooperative with the effluent port. The air delivery channel communicates with the influent port such that air from the aerator passes into the air delivery channel through the effluent port and the influent port. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a screen is positioned directly over the air delivery channel. This screen serves to pass air therethrough having a bubble size of approximately 50-100 microns. The screen is hydrophobic such that air passes upwardly therethrough and water is prevented from passing downwardly therethrough. The screen is a stainless steel mesh screen having a frame extending around a periphery thereof. This frame is engaged with a wall of the container. The air delivery channel has a U-shaped cross-section with an open surface facing upwardly in the container. The mesh screen is positioned directly upon the open surface of the air delivery channel. The air delivery channel extends in a generally circular pattern adjacent to a bottom of the container. 
     The container is a pitcher with a handle extending outwardly therefrom. This handle has a bottom. The influent port opens at the bottom of the handle. The receptacle area in the base has a slotted area extending radially outwardly therefrom. The effluent port opens in this slotted area The bottom of the handle is removably received in the slotted area. The influent port has a funnel-shaped opening formed at the bottom of the handle. The funnel-shaped opening is wide at the bottom of the handle. The influent port has an air passageway extending through the handle to the air delivery channel. The effluent port includes a nozzle having an opening extending upwardly from the slotted area. The nozzle fits into the funnel-shaped opening. The effluent port will have an air passageway extending from the aerator. A switch is mounted in the slotted area for actuating the aerator when the pitcher is positioned in the receptacle area. Specifically, the switch is a button-activated switch which depresses when the bottom of the handle is placed on the button of the switch. This switch is electrically connected to the power source. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a light is affixed to the base generally centrally of the receptacle area. The light serves to illuminate an interior of the container. 
     The receptacle area is a circular area formed in a top surface of the base. This circular area has a size and shape corresponding to a size and shape of the bottom of the container. The circular area also includes a downwardly extending lip formed therefrom. This lip is at an opposite side of the circular area from the slotted area. The base also has a frustoconical shape with a wide diameter portion at a bottom thereof and a narrow diameter portion at a top thereof. The receptacle area is formed in the top of the base. The base also has vents formed in a wall thereof so as to open and allow air from the exterior of the base to pass to the aerator. 
     A first check valve is positioned between the influent port and the air delivery channel so as to prevent liquid from passing outwardly of the influent port. A second check valve is positioned between the effluent port and the aerator for preventing liquid from passing into the aerator from the effluent port. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the water aerator apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the container of the water aerator apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view showing the base of the water aerator apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the base of the water aerator apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of the container of the water aerator apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a closeup illustration of the influent and effluent ports associated with the water aerator apparatus of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the water aerator apparatus  10  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The water aerator apparatus  10  includes a base  12  having a receptacle area  14  formed therein. An aerator  16  is affixed to the base  12 . The aerator  16  has an effluent port  18  opening from the base. A container  20  is removably received in the receptacle area  14  of the base  12 . The base  12  has an influent port  22  opening at the bottom of the container  20 . The influent port  22  is cooperative with the effluent port  18 . An air delivery channel  24  is formed on the interior of the container  20 . The air delivery channel  24  communicates with the influent port  22  such that air from the aerator  16  passes into the air delivery channel  24  through the effluent port  18  and the influent port  22 . Air from the aerator  16  will pass through the air delivery channel  24  so that air will bubble up through a liquid within the interior of the container  20  for the purpose of maximizing dissolved oxygen within the liquid in the container  20 . 
     In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the base  12  has a generally frustoconical configuration with a wide diameter at the bottom  26  and a narrow diameter at the top  28 . This frustoconical configuration will maximize the stability of the base upon any flat surface, such as a kitchen counter top. A vent  30  is formed in the wall of the base  12  so as to allow air to pass therethrough into the interior of the base  12  so that the aerator  16  can be suitably supplied with ambient air. A light  32  is mounted adjacent to the receptacle area  14  of the base  12 . Light  32  will be generally positioned centrally of the receptacle area  14  so as to illuminate the interior of the container  20  when the container  20  is placed within the receptacle  14 . A mounting bracket  34  can be used so as to secure the light  32  in its desired position. A power supply  36  is electrically connected by lines  38  and  40  to the aerator  16  and the light  32 , respectively. The power supply  36  can be any suitable power supply with sufficient capacity to power the aerator  16  and the light  32 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power supply  36  is simply a standard electrical outlet connected to the electrical utility. A wide variety of other power supplies can be utilized in conjunction with the electrical devices of the present invention so as to carry out the purposes of the present invention. For example, a battery supply can be mounted within the base  12  so as to supply energy to the aerator  16  and the light  32 , if desired. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 1, the container  20  is a pitcher with a handle  38  extending outwardly therefrom. The handle  38  has a bottom through which the influent port  22  opens. Also, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the receptacle area  14  in the base  12  has a slotted area extending radially outwardly therefrom. The effluent port  18  opens in this slotted area. The bottom of the handle  38  is removably received within this slotted area. A switch  40  is mounted in the base  12  so as to be cooperative with the bottom of the handle  38 . The switch  40  is a button-actuated switch which, when depressed, actuates the aerator  16 . As such, when the bottom of the handle  38  is placed into the slotted area of the receptacle area  14 , the button of the switch  40  will be depressed so as to actuate the aerator  16 . Also, when the switch  40  is actuated, the effluent port  18  will be received within the influent port  22  so that a sufficient supply of air can be delivered into the air delivery channel  24 . 
     In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the pitcher  20  has a lid  42  affixed to a top thereof. A spout  44  extends outwardly from the top of the container  20  so that water within the container  20  can be easily poured therefrom. In normal use, the pitcher  20  will act like any other household pitcher whereby water can be dispensed therefrom in a convenient and easy manner. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the pitcher  20  is particularly illustrated. Importantly, in FIG. 2, the handle  38  is illustrated as extending outwardly of the wall  50  of the pitcher  20 . The handle  38  has a flat bottom surface  52 . The influent port  22  has a funnel-shaped opening at  52 . Another portion  54  of the bottom of the handle  38  is also positioned so as to be cooperative with the switch  40  on the base. An air passageway  56  extends from the influent port  22  toward the air delivery channel  24 . A check valve  58  is placed on the end of the air passageway  56  within the air delivery channel  24 . Check valve  58  prevents liquid from flowing back through the air passageway  56  so as to be emitted from the influent port  22 . Check valve  58  also allows a free flow of air therethrough. As such, the check valve  58  will prevent accidental leakage of liquid from the interior of the container  20 . 
     As will be described hereinafter, the air delivery channel  24  has a generally U-shaped cross-section with an open top surface  60  facing upwardly in the container  20 . A mesh screen  62  is positioned directly upon the open surface  60  of the air delivery channel  24 . The mesh screen  62  is supported within the container  20  by a frame  64  extending around a periphery of the screen  62 . The frame  64  is fixedly received within the wall  50  of the container  20 . The mesh screen is positioned directly over the air delivery channel  24  so as to allow air passing therethrough to have a bubble size of approximately 50-100 microns. The screen  62  is suitably hydrophobic such air passes upwardly therethrough while water is prevented from passing downwardly therethrough. The screen  62  avoids problems associated with head pressure and allow an even distribution across the entire interior of the container  20 . This will maximize the amount of dissolved oxygen within any liquid contained within the container  20 . 
     FIG. 3 shows the interior configuration of the base  12 . In particular, in FIG. 3, the receptacle area  14  is illustrated as extending across the top  28  of the base  12 . Light  32  is positioned generally centrally of the receptacle area  14 . The aerator  16  is positioned within the base  12  generally adjacent to the slotted area  70  outwardly from the receptacle area  14 . The effluent port  18  is illustrated as extending upwardly in the slotted area  70 . Similarly, the switch  40  is illustrated as having button  72  extending upwardly in this slotted area. Slotted area  70 , as stated previously, will receive the flat bottom  52  of the handle  38 . 
     The receptacle area  14  includes a downwardly extending lip  74  opposite to the slotted area  70 . This downwardly extending lip  74  will allow the pitcher  20  to be tilted therein so that liquid can be poured from the spout  44  while pitcher generally remains within the receptacle area  14 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the base  12 . In FIG. 4, it can be seen that the walls  80  of the base have a generally frustoconical shape. The receptacle area  14  is illustrated as being generally circular. Slotted area  70  will extend radially outwardly from the periphery of the circular receptacle area  14 . The effluent port  18  is illustrated as positioned within this slotted area  70 . Similarly, the switch  40  is also positioned in the slotted area  70 . Light  32  is positioned centrally of the circular receptacle area  14 . FIG. 4 shows that the base  12  has a plurality of vents  30  formed in the walls  80  of the base  12 . Vents  30  allow air to be passed through into the interior of the base  12  and to supply the aerator  16  with a requisite supply of air. Several vents  30  are employed in the present invention so as to avoid the possibility and the problems associated therewith if any of the vents  30  should accidentally be placed against an adjoining surface which would close the vents. 
     FIG. 5 shows the interior of the container  20  of the present invention. In particular, in FIG. 5, the air delivery channel  24  is illustrated as having a generally circular configuration extending around the bottom  82  of the container  20 . The circular configuration of the air delivery channel  24  will communicate with the influent port  22  through the air passageway  56 . Check valve  58  is illustrated as positioned within the air delivery channel  24  so as to block any liquids that might flow through the mesh screen  62  and outwardly of the influent port  22 . Handle  38  is illustrated as extending outwardly from the periphery of the container  20 . In that the mesh screen  62  (illustrated partially) extends around the inner wall of the container  20 . In particular, a frame  64  is embedded against the inner wall  86  so as to securely affix the mesh screen  62  in its desired position. By extending entirely over the U-shaped air delivery channel  24 , the mesh screen  62  avoids any head pressure problems. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the relationship of the flat bottom surface  52  of the handle within the slotted area  70  of the base  12 . In particular, effluent port  18  is illustrated in the form of a nozzle having an opening directed outwardly of the surface of the slotted area The button  58  of the switch  40  will extend outwardly of the surface of the slotted area  70 . When the flat surface  52  is placed so as to be in surface-to-surface contact with the surface of the slotted area  70 , inverted funnel-shaped opening of the influent port  22  will mate with the exterior surface of the nozzle of the effluent port  18 . As a result, a secure sealing relationship is established between the influent port  22  and the effluent port  18 . Air passageway  56  will deliver air to the air delivery channel. Air passageway  56  will allow air from the aerator to pass through the nozzle of the effluent port  18 . Switch  40  is connected by electrical line  92  to the aerator such that when the button  88  is depressed, the switch  40  will send a signal to the aerator to activate the aerator and cause air to flow outwardly therefrom. When the button  88  is released, such as by the removal of the container  20  from the receptacle area  14 , the switch  40  will transmit a signal to the aerator to stop the flow of air therefrom. 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.