Patent Abstract:
An apparatus for storing fluids in an exterior climate-controlled chamber. The chamber provides a climate controlled environment for one or more useful fluids without requiring interior living space for storage of such fluids. In certain embodiments, the chamber provides a mechanism for automatic delivery of fluids directly into the living space.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to storage and delivery of fluids to laundry rooms and associated applications, particularly to certain systems and methods for protecting fluids from adverse weather while storing them in a convenient and space-efficient manner. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A wide variety of liquids are known to be useful for a variety of purposes, particularly in laundry rooms, mechanic shops and restaurants. Such liquids include, but are not limited to detergents, solvents, lotions, medicines, beverages and fuels, to name a few. Users of these liquids often struggle to conveniently store them in such a way that they can be easily accessed and used. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present disclosure provides a versatile apparatus for storing and delivering fluids in a convenient manner. 
         [0004]    The apparatus disclosed herein allows for exterior storage of fluids in a climate-controlled environment without requiring expensive heating or air conditioning equipment. The apparatus makes use of existing heating and air conditioning mechanisms to provide a desirable storage environment. According to a principal embodiment, the conditions within a fluid storage chamber are regulated by the use of an air handling system operable to move climate-controlled air from a nearby source into the chamber when appropriate. 
         [0005]    Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    For a better understanding of the disclosure, and to show by way of example how the same may be carried into effect, reference is now made to the detailed description along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts a side section view of a building showing the present fluid storage and delivery apparatus installed; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts a detailed view of the inside of the climate-controlled chamber; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  depicts a detailed cutaway view of one embodiment of a conduit suitable for use with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    While the making and using of various embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The disclosure is primarily described and illustrated hereinafter in conjunction with various embodiments of the presently-described systems and methods. The specific embodiments discussed herein are, however, merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the disclosure and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts a building  100  comprising climate-controlled interior space  104  defined in part by exterior wall  102 , and having attic space  106  disposed thereabove.  FIG. 2  depicts a detailed view of an exterior fluid reservoir chamber  120 .  FIG. 3  depicts a detailed view of one embodiment of a conduit suitable for use with the present disclosure. 
         [0012]    As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , an interior fluid dispenser  108 , designed to provide convenient access to one or more fluids, is disposed within space  104 . Fluids provided at the interior fluid dispenser  108  are delivered via a conduit  110  from a remote chamber  120  disposed outside of building  100 . In this embodiment, conduit  110  comprises an interior vertical section  112 , an interior transverse section  114 , an exterior vertical section  116  and an exterior transverse section  118 . Conduit  110  serves multiple functions, as discussed in detail below. 
         [0013]    A fluid reservoir  122  is disposed within chamber  120  and connected to a fluid hose  126 . A fluid pump  124  is disposed in fluid hose  126 , in order to move fluid from fluid reservoir  122  to interior fluid dispenser  108 . In certain embodiments, operation of fluid pump  124  may be controlled by a button or other manual control near or adjacent to interior fluid dispenser  108 , but certain embodiments may employ an automatic pump control mechanism. 
         [0014]    The temperature conditions within chamber  120  are controlled by a thermostat  128 , set to maintain the temperature between a set high range and a set low range. Depending on the particular embodiment, the high and low temperature ranges may be hard-wired, or may be adjustable by a user or technician. 
         [0015]    When the temperature within the exterior chamber  120  is outside of the target temperature range, thermostat  128  powers exhaust fan  130  via relay  140 , which may be a separate component or an integral component of thermostat  128 . Exhaust fan  130  is disposed within plenum  132  in such a manner as to impel air within plenum  132  out of plenum  132  via exhaust vent  134 . This expulsion of air generates a negative pressure within chamber  120 . 
         [0016]    Chamber  120  is generally sealed except for the apertures at vent  134  and conduit  110 . Thus, when a negative pressure is created by exhaust fan  130  within plenum  132 , the drop in pressure in chamber  120  is communicated into and along conduit  110 , through segments  118 ,  116 ,  114  and  112 , to interior makeup vent  136 . The negative pressure at interior makeup vent  136  draws climate-controlled air from interior space  104  to chamber  120  through interior makeup vent  136  and segments  112 ,  114 ,  116  and  118  of conduit  110 . The replacement of out-of-range air in chamber  120  with climate-controlled interior air will bring the temperature within chamber  120  back within range, at which point the thermostat  128  will turn fan  130  off until the temperature of chamber  120  moves out of range again. 
         [0017]    As noted above, conduit  120  provides multiple functions. In addition to serving as a conduit for liquid and air, conduit  120  may also carry electrical power and/or control signals via one or more cables such as cable  142 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus comprises a control panel  138 , which may be employed to control conditions within chamber  120 . 
         [0018]    Similar embellishments, and various combinations thereof, are all comprehended by the present disclosure. In fact, all embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and explanation only. The specific compositions, configurations, orientations and operations of various features, portions and members may be provided in a number of ways in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         [0019]    As an example of the manner in which the general teachings herein may be specifically employed, while the above disclosure has been presented in connection with a single reservoir holding one type of fluid, those of skill in the art will recognize that the teachings of the present disclosure may be employed in connection with multiple reservoirs holding multiple fluids. Further, although certain functionalities are represented herein by a single component for the sake of simplicity, those of skill in the art will recognize that the functions of a single component such as thermostat  128  may be performed by multiple separate components in certain embodiments. A particular embodiment may, for example, have a high temperature thermostat and a separate low temperature thermostat. 
         [0020]    Thus, the embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented to best explain the present disclosure and its practical application and to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and utilize the disclosure. As previously explained, those skilled in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purpose of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4