Abstract:
A dispensing device capable of no-leak dispensing of a liquid when the dispensing device is in fluid communication with a defective liquid container, including an apparatus enabling the movement of liquid from the liquid container to a holding tank in fluid communication with the liquid container and associated with the dispensing device. The apparatus includes one or more sealing mechanisms which permit ambient air to enter the liquid container through an air path as necessary to enable uninterrupted dispensing, and also permits substantially none of the liquid or only minimal amounts of the liquid to flow out of the holding tank and through the air path, in a no-leak manner, during periods when there is no dispensing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to the dispensing of liquids. More particularly, the invention addresses a pinhole leak problem with water bottles that causes leaks by water dispensing devices. 
         [0002]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , when a good water bottle is used with an appropriate dispensing device (e.g., a water cooler with an appropriate bottle/cooler interface system, such as disclosed in patents referenced below), the air path shown by arrow “X” is the only path for outside air to enter the water bottle, which is necessary to allow replacement of the discharged water space in order to reach pressure equilibrium in the bottle, to enable continue dispensing. If there is a pin hole  11  in water bottle  10  (a not uncommon occurrence), air will enter the bottle through the pin hole instead of through air path “X” because air will travel through the less restricted path. When this occurs, water will continue to flow into tank  12  from bottle  10 , and eventually flow out through air path area X. 
         [0003]    It would be advantageous to address the pinhole leak problem to avoid leaking water dispensers, in an efficient manner and without interrupting or otherwise compromising dispensing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The objects mentioned above, as well as other objects are solved by the present invention, which overcomes disadvantages of prior dispensing devices and methods, while providing new advantages not believed associated with such devices and methods. 
         [0005]    In summary, the present invention provides mechanisms for sealing the air path (“X” in  FIG. 1 ) to prevent water from flowing out when there is an abnormal pressure condition in the tank (such as may be caused by a pinhole leak in the water bottle). The sealing mechanisms provided are not costly and do not interrupt or interfere with dispensing. 
         [0006]    More particularly, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dispensing device is provided which capable of no-leak dispensing of a liquid when the dispensing device is in fluid communication with a defective liquid container. The dispensing device includes an apparatus enabling the movement of liquid from the liquid container to a holding tank in fluid communication with the liquid container and associated with the dispensing device. The apparatus preferably includes one or more sealing mechanisms which: a) permit ambient air to enter the liquid container through an air path as necessary to enable uninterrupted dispensing; and b) permit substantially none of the liquid or only minimal amounts of the liquid to flow out of the holding tank and through the air path, in a no-leak manner, during periods when there is no dispensing. 
         [0007]    In a preferred embodiment, the one or more sealing mechanisms may include a check valve, and dual gaskets with associated molded, integrated O-rings for air/liquid-tight sealing in the area between the apparatus and the holding tank. A substance, such as silicone grease, may be located in the area between the outer edges of the dual gaskets and the inner surface of the holding tank, for further sealing of the area in a substantially air-tight and liquid-tight manner. 
         [0008]    The check valve is in fluid communication with the holding tank, and preferably permits ambient air to enter through the check valve during liquid dispensing, while preventing ambient air from passing through the check valve when liquid is not being dispensed. The check valve may include an elastomeric diaphragm which may be sealed against a sealing surface. Support surfaces, such as one or more blades supported by a post, may be used to support the diaphragm in a position that permits air to pass through spaces between the support surfaces, while also controlling the distance between the diaphragm and the sealing surface. 
         [0009]    The check valve is normally closed, and the check valve opens when the liquid within the holding tank drops to a level which causes the cracking pressure of the check valve to be reached, permitting ambient air from outside the dispensing device to travel through the check valve and to enter the liquid container to replace space in the liquid container left by dispensed liquid, enabling uninterrupted dispensing. 
         [0010]    The apparatus may include a probe in fluid communication with the liquid container and with the tank, which facilitates the movement of liquid from the liquid container to the tank. One of the sealing mechanisms may also include a probe gasket to air-tight and liquid-tight seal an area adjacent the probe. 
       Definition of Claim Terms 
       [0011]    The following terms are used in the claims of the patent as filed and are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language. 
         [0012]    “Defective container” means a liquid container, such as but not limited to a water bottle, with one or more cracks and/or pinholes which would normally allow the holding tank to overflow and spill out of the dispensing device, when employed to dispense liquid from a conventional liquid dispensing device such as a conventional water cooler. 
         [0013]    “Fluid” includes air, gases and/or liquids, depending on the context, with its broadest meaning intended where otherwise unclear. 
         [0014]    “No-leak” or “no-leak manner” mean dispensing systems in which any undesirable leak (i.e., a leak which occurs when dispensing has not been intentionally actuated by a water consumer) from a holding tank of the dispensing unit to an area outside the holding tank, constitutes an insignificant amount of water. By way of example, one water cooler manufacturer set a standard that if no water is drawn from the dispensing unit for 7 days, “no-leak” means that water will not overflow from the cold tank within 7 days. Based on this manufacturer&#39;s current design, the amount of water over this time period of 7 days is roughly about 350 ml (12 oz). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    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, can be better understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a partial, sectional and perspective view of a “no-leak” water cooler according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view along reference line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  is a sectional view of the water cooler and water bottle shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3B  is a sectional view of the circled portion of  FIG. 3A , showing the check valve in an open position in which liquid is permitted to flow; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3C  is a sectional view of the water cooler and water bottle shown in  FIG. 1   
           [0021]      FIG. 3D  is a sectional view of the circled portion of  FIG. 3B , showing the check valve in a closed position in which liquid cannot flow through the check valve; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the check valve and adjacent parts shown in the circled portion of  FIG. 3B ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a gasket with an O-ring; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 5A  is a partial, sectional view of a gasket/O-ring combination. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Set forth below is a description of what are believed to be the preferred embodiments and/or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment 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. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 , a water cooler interface with a water bottle, generally designated as  20 , enables dispensing from the bottle. Interface  20  may be any of a variety of cooler/bottle interfaces, such as but not limited to the interface disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,289,854 to Baker, 5,232,125 to Adams, 5,957,316 to Hidding, or co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 11/468,342, filed Aug. 30, 2006, and titled “Liquid Dispensing Apparatus And System” (“the &#39;342 invention”) each of which are incorporated into this disclosure as regarding this interface. With cooler/bottle interfaces of this type, when the water consumer installs a water bottle over interface  20 , which may include top cover  27  supported by base  24 , an internal cap plug on the bottle cap is dislodged and seats itself on upstanding probe  25  with probe head  25   b . (Top cover  27  may be threadably attached to probe  25  at a lower portion of the probe  25   c , as shown in  FIG. 2 .) Openings  25   a  in the upper portion of probe  25  allow water to flow through the probe and into water cooler holding tank  12 , which may be a cold tank. Conventional probes allow air into the bottle, to prevent lock-up during dispensing, using the liquid flow path. The &#39;342 invention probes a probe with dual air/liquid flow path capabilities for this purpose. 
         [0028]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, interface  20  is specially designed to prevent pinholes in the bottle from causing leaks in the dispensing device. Thus, interface  20  preferably includes various mechanisms for ensuring an air/water tight seal between the ambient atmosphere and the space “Y” between the interface and the water level in the cooler tank. These mechanisms may include one or more of the following, as may be sufficient to obtain the desired no-leak seal: dual ring-shaped gasket pairs  30   a  and  30   b , located on base  24 ; a molded, integrated O-ring  31  conforming to a distal portion of each gasket  30  to create a tight seal between an outer portion of base  24  and each gasket; an elastomeric diaphragm  35  serving as a check valve and secured by check valve cover  37 ; an additional probe gasket  42  (located in the area of the threaded connection between lower probe area  25   c  and the lower portion of top cover  27 ) to further ensure an air/water tight seal; and silicone grease  38  located between and around gaskets  30   a ,- 30   b  and cold tank  12 , as also shown in  FIG. 2 . Each of these sealing mechanisms will be further explained below. 
         [0029]    Dual gasket pairs  30   a  and  30   b  are preferably used, such that any air leak passing through one of the gaskets will not necessarily leak through the second gasket. Gaskets  30   a ,  30   b  may be specially molded for this application to fit the diameter on base  24  and cold tank  12 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  5  and  5 A, gaskets  30   a ,  30   b  may each be molded with an integrated O-ring  31 , which may be specially designed for this application. O-ring  31  may be molded to be part of gaskets  30   a ,  30   b , and preferably ensures a seal between the outer wall  24   a  of base  24  and a distal end of the corresponding gasket. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5A , a suitable substance, such as silicone grease  38 , may be placed between the outside surfaces of each of gaskets  30  and the inner surface of cold tank  12  to ensure that the tank surface quality (especially brushed-type tank surfaces) will not compromise the seal. 
         [0032]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , probe gasket  42  may be a specially made gasket of an elastomeric material such as silicone rubber, and may be located as shown to ensure that air cannot enter through the probe area. 
         [0033]    Sealing every possible area that might leak air from the atmosphere into space Y above the water level in tank  12  ensures that the only available air path is through the area of check valve  35 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , base  24  may include check valve cover  37  to hold the check valve diaphragm  35  in location, and filter cover  38  to hold the air filter in location to prevent foreign particles and microbes from traveling through this air path and contaminating the system. 
         [0034]    Elastomeric diaphragm  35  is preferably designed to ensure that the check valve will not leak, but will dispense upon demand. Referring to  FIG. 4 , a cross-sectional view of the check valve area, check valve cover  37  may be threadably connected, for example, to base  24  at a lower base portion. Blades  45  on post  48  are designed to hold elastomeric diaphragm  35  up, so air can pass through the space between blades as needed. Also, blades  45  control the distance between diaphragm  35  and the check valve sealing surface  24   d , so that diaphragm  35  is always slightly sealing against the surface  24   d , but not pushing onto it so hard as to hinder air from deforming diaphragm  35  and flowing around it during normal water dispensing need. In an alternative embodiment, blade  45  may be made slightly lower, so that diaphragm  35  does not contact sealing surface  24   d  in the normal water dispensing situation, providing a slightly faster water flow. 
         [0035]    When a water bottle with a pinhole is used, the water in the bottle will tend to flow into the cold tank, and the air inside the cold tank will be squeezed and will need to find a path to exit the cold tank. In the preferred design disclosed here in the present invention, the only path is this check valve area. The escaping air creates an air flow which will lift diaphragm  35 , causing it to contact sealing surface  24   d , and the constant water pressure provided by the bottle will cause the diaphragm to remain sealed. 
         [0036]    To review, in operation the check valve works as follows. Referring to  FIG. 3D , check valve  35  is normally closed, as shown by the arrows indicating water flow. However, when the water in tank  12  drops to a certain level, causing the check valve to reach its cracking pressure, check valve  35  is designed to open ( FIG. 3B ) and outside air is permitted to travel through the check valve and replace the discharged water space in the bottle. (In this condition, diaphragm/check valve  35  will be pushed down by the greater, atmospheric air pressure, over blades  45  attached to post  48 .) When the pressure in the bottle/system reaches equilibrium, the check valve closes, preventing any further passage of air. (The “cracking pressure” of the check valve is the minimum pressure required to open the valve.) 
         [0037]    To summarize, referring to  FIG. 3C , when a bottle with a pinhole  11  is installed using a conventional dispenser, the air and water in the bottle cannot reach a pressure equilibrium, and water will continue to flow out from the bottle and cause an overflow situation. In contrast, when a bottle is installed using a dispenser equipped with the interface system of the present invention, as all the possible air-leak areas (other than the 1-way check valve) have been sealed, when a user dispenses water from the cooler, the user will not notice that a defective water bottle is involved. Instead, air will still enter the system as needed, and the check valve will close when dispensing is not occurring, to prevent any overflow situation. In fact, the higher the water pressure inside the system, the tighter the cheek valve seal will be. 
         [0038]    The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be, or will become, apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the foregoing drawings, written description and claims, and persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of other designs still falling within the scope of the following claims may be envisioned and used. 
         [0039]    It is contemplated that these or other future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims.