Patent Description:
In recent years, the population of people raising a pet has increased, in addition attachment and interest in pets. Like most animals, pets must drink water to survive and maintain a biorhythm. Since pets are often left alone and since communication with their owners is difficult, the demand for pet water dispensers or water supply devices has increased.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose drinking bowls for pets. However, such drinking bowls have various disadvantages which the present disclosure solves.

<CIT> relates to a water dispenser for pets. The water dispenser comprises a casing, a water tank, a circulating water system and a control system. The casing is provided with a concave cavity, the water tank is of a cylindrical structure with one end open and is detachably mounted in the concave cavity, and an upper edge port of the water tank is higher than the end edge of the casing; the circulating water system comprises a circulation pump, water supply pipes and water storage trays, the circulation pump is installed at the center of the inner bottom face of the water tank and connected to one ends of the water supply pipes, the water storage trays are in concave disk shapes and are detachably mounted on the water tank and disposed near the upper edge port, the other ends of the water supply pipes penetrate through the centers of the water storage trays, and the circulation pump is electrically connected to the control system. Under a command of the control system, water in the water tank is sucked in by the circulation pump and flows out through the water supply pipes to the water storage trays.

The invention is specified in the independent claim. Further aspects of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Referring to <FIG>, a liquid dispenser (e.g., a pet water dispenser) may include a water tank or storage chamber <NUM> in which water is stored, a pump <NUM> installed or provided in the water tank <NUM> to transfer or supply water stored in the water tank <NUM>, and a water supply plate or upper plate <NUM> over which water supplied from a water supply pipe <NUM> connected to the pump <NUM> flows.

A water guide or a water receiver <NUM> may be provided between the water tank <NUM> and the water supply plate <NUM> to receive water dropped from the water supply plate <NUM> and guide the dropped water back to the water tank <NUM>. The water guide <NUM> may also be referred to as a splash guard or drop tray. The water guide <NUM> may include an outer guide wall <NUM>, an inner guide wall <NUM> spaced apart from and inside of the outer guide wall <NUM>, and a bottom wall <NUM> connecting lower ends of the outer and inner guide walls <NUM> and <NUM>. A drain passage <NUM> to guide water dropped to the water guide <NUM> from the water supply plate <NUM> may be formed between the outer and inner guide walls <NUM> and <NUM>. At least one discharge hole <NUM> may be formed in the bottom wall <NUM> to discharge or guide water into the water tank <NUM>.

The outer guide wall <NUM> may include upper and lower inclined surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>. The upper inclined surface <NUM> may extend from an upper end of the lower inclined surface <NUM>, and a lower end of the lower inclined surface <NUM> may be coupled to the bottom wall <NUM>. Water may be dropped onto the upper inclined surface <NUM> from the water supply plate <NUM>. Inclinations of the upper and lower inclined surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> may be different. For example, the lower inclined surface <NUM> may have a steeper inclination than the upper inclined surface <NUM>. Alternatively, the upper and lower inclined surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> may have equal inclinations. The upper inclined surface <NUM> may appear to protrude outward from the lower inclined surface <NUM> via a step portion provided between the upper and lower inclined surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>.

The inner guide wall <NUM> may be provided with a guide <NUM> at a portion corresponding to where water may be dropped from the upper inclined surface <NUM>. For example, the guide <NUM> may be an upper surface of the inner guide wall <NUM>, and a portion of the guide <NUM> may be provided below the upper inclined surface <NUM> to catch falling water. An upper surface of the guide <NUM> that contacts water may be inclined or convexly curved downward. The guide <NUM> may be inclined outward from a top end to a bottom end, while the upper inclined surface <NUM> may be inclined inward from a top end to a bottom end. The guide <NUM> of the inner guide wall <NUM> may be inclined in a direction opposite to a direction in which the upper inclined surface <NUM> of the outer guide wall <NUM> is inclined so catch water from the upper inclined surface <NUM>.

The water supply plate <NUM> may have a substantially smooth upper surface <NUM>, and water supplied from the water supply pipe <NUM> may reach the upper surface <NUM> of the water supply plate <NUM> via a water supply hole <NUM>, flow over the upper surface <NUM> of the water supply plate <NUM>, and flow to the water guide <NUM>. The water supply plate <NUM> may have a slight upward inclination (e.g., <NUM>°) from the water supply hole <NUM> to an edge in order to slow a flow of water. Alternatively, the water supply plate <NUM> may be substantially flat. Depending on a humidity (or depending on a species of pet or a pet's preferences), the pet may drink water flowing on an upper surface <NUM> of the water supply plate <NUM> with its tongue, or may consume water falling from the water supply plate <NUM> to the water guide <NUM>.

The water supply plate <NUM> may be formed of a plate having a smooth upper surface <NUM>, and the water supply hole <NUM> may be formed at a center thereof. Although the water supply plate <NUM> is exemplified in the figures to have a disk or circular shape, it may be formed in various other shapes (e.g., hexagonal with six vertices). The water supply plate <NUM> may be made of a light guide or reflective material (e.g., stainless steel or pigmented plastic), or alternatively may be made of a transparent or translucent material (e.g., glass or plastic). The water supply plate <NUM> may be formed to have a thin thickness.

A plug or float <NUM> may be provided in the water supply hole <NUM> to an restrict upward movement of water discharged from the water supply hole <NUM>. The plug or float <NUM> may serve as a diverter. The water discharged from the water supply hole <NUM> may collide with the plug <NUM>, and may be refracted in a horizontal direction to flow along the upper surface <NUM> of the water supply plate <NUM>. A lower end or stem of the plug <NUM> may be inserted into a trumpet-shaped portion <NUM> of the water supply hole <NUM> to form a ring-shaped gap between an inner surface of the trumpet-shaped portion <NUM> and an upper end or head of the plug <NUM>. Water may be discharged through the ring-shaped gap to form a water film having a surface that is substantially parallel to the upper surface <NUM> of the water supply plate <NUM>.

The plug <NUM> may include optional ribs to keep the plug <NUM> within the water supply hole <NUM>. The plug <NUM> may remain fixed within the water supply hole <NUM>, or alternatively the plug <NUM> may serve as a float, and the plug <NUM> may move up and down depending on a pumping capacity of the pump <NUM> as the ribs of the plug <NUM> move up and down within vertical grooves provided on an inner surface of the water supply hole <NUM>.

An illumination assembly <NUM> may be provided below the water supply plate <NUM>. The water supply plate <NUM> may be configured to be removable from the inner assembly <NUM>. The water supply plate <NUM> may be lifted up and removed to be cleaned, repaired, or swapped with another water supply plate <NUM> having a different height, shape, angle of inclination, material, etc..

The illumination assembly <NUM> may include a light emitting device or a light device <NUM>, a light support or base <NUM> on which the light device <NUM> is mounted, a support or light diffuser <NUM> provided to surround an outer side of the light base <NUM>, and a partition plate <NUM> on which the light base <NUM> and the support <NUM> are mounted. The light base <NUM> may also be referred to as a light mount, and the support <NUM> may also be referred to as a light guide plate or light guide, to guide or diffuse light from the light device <NUM>.

The light base <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape, while the support <NUM> may be formed in a truncated cone shape to have an inclined surface. The light base <NUM>, the support <NUM>, and the partition plate <NUM> may be joined (e.g., fused, welded, or bonded) together to be integral with each other, or may be assembled to be detachable from each other via hooks, screws, etc..

The illumination assembly <NUM> may support the water supply plate <NUM> to be above the water guide <NUM> and an upper end of the water tank <NUM>. The light device <NUM> may include at least one light emitting diode (LED) or at least one organic light emitting diode (OLED), and may be mounted in the outer side of the light base <NUM> to emit light to the support <NUM>. The support <NUM> may be made of a transparent or translucent material, and may diffuse light from the light device <NUM> to an outside of the illumination assembly <NUM>.

The water tank <NUM> may include a container having an upper opening through which a user may fill water or liquid. However, embodiments disclosed are not limited to a water tank <NUM> having an upper opening. For example, the water tank <NUM> may have a closed container in which water or liquid is stored, and an additional water supply pipe may supply water into the water tank <NUM>. A water supply valve to open and close the water supply pipe may be provided to control a supply of external water (e.g., from a pipe or faucet connected to the additional water supply pipe) into the water tank <NUM>.

The water guide <NUM> and the water supply plate <NUM> may together close the upper opening of the water tank <NUM>. Food dropped from the mouth or snout of an animal may be prevented from entering the upper opening of the water tank <NUM>. In addition, the bottom wall <NUM> and the at least one discharge hole <NUM> may be configured to additionally filter water entering the water tank <NUM>.

The water tank <NUM> may include a wall <NUM> defining a storage space or chamber of the container to store water, and a water tank base or a container support <NUM> provided below and supporting the wall <NUM>. An upper end of the wall <NUM> may define the upper opening of the water tank <NUM> (or an inlet of the water tank <NUM>). The water tank <NUM> may further include a bottom plate <NUM> defining a bottom of the storage space and a top of the water tank base <NUM>, and the wall <NUM> may surround the bottom plate <NUM>.

The bottom plate <NUM> may be made of a material of high thermal conductivity or metal material (e.g., stainless steel) an upper surface of the bottom plate <NUM> reflects light. However, embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to a metal bottom plate <NUM>. For example, the bottom plate <NUM> may be made of plastic and a highly reflective material or coating film may be coated onto the bottom plate <NUM>, or a metal may be deposited or deposed onto the bottom plate <NUM>.

A convex protruding portion or protrusion <NUM> may be formed in the bottom plate <NUM> and protrude upward at a center of the bottom plate <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may have a hollow cylindrical shape having an inner space below the bottom plate <NUM>, and a first wireless power transfer device <NUM> (e.g., a first wireless power transceiver or a transmitter) may be provided in the inner space of the protrusion <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> may be integrally formed with the wall <NUM>, or alternatively may be separately formed and joined (e.g., via press-fitting and/or bonding or welding). A ring-shaped groove or recess <NUM> may be formed in the bottom plate <NUM> to surround the protrusion <NUM> so as to be concave downward.

The water tank <NUM> may be formed in a truncated cone shape with a diameter that decreases from a lower end to an upper end. When the water tank <NUM> is formed in a truncated cone shape, the water tank <NUM> may not be easily overturned even when an external impact is applied to the water tank <NUM>. However, embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to a water tank <NUM> having a truncated cone shape. For example, the water tank <NUM> may be cylindrical.

When the water tank <NUM> has a truncated cone shape, the wall <NUM> may be inclined outward from the upper end of the wall <NUM> toward the lower end of the wall <NUM>, which may couple to the water tank base <NUM>. The wall <NUM> may generally have a symmetrical truncated cone shape in which a cross-section is circular. In <FIG>, D1 denotes a diameter of a circle defined by the upper end of the wall <NUM>, and D2 denotes a diameter of a circle defined by the lower end of the wall <NUM>.

The wall <NUM> may include a main wall 11c having upper and lower openings and an upper wall 11a having a lower end coupled to an upper end of the main wall 11c. An upper end of the water tank base <NUM> may be coupled to a lower end of the main wall 11c.

Referring to <FIG>, the main wall 11c, the upper wall 11a, and the water tank base <NUM> may be integrally made of the same material, or alternatively may be separately manufactured as separate materials and joined (e.g., fused, bonded, or welded) together for integration. As an example, the upper wall 11a and the water tank base <NUM> may be manufactured from various materials having excellent aesthetics (e.g., stainless steel or pigmented plastic), and the main wall 11c may be made of a transparent material (e.g., glass or plastic) so that an amount of water in the water tank <NUM> may be gauged by a user looking into the main wall 11c.

When the main wall 11c is made out of a transparent material, the water contained in the storage space of the container of the water tank <NUM>, along with the bottom plate <NUM> and a first filter <NUM> of a filter assembly, may be visible through the main wall 11c, which may enhance aesthetics. A user may also be able to see a flow of water entering the pump <NUM> through the first filter <NUM>, and water waves reflected on the bottom plate <NUM>.

In addition, the user may determine an amount of water contained in the water tank <NUM> by looking at the main wall 11c. Therefore, the user can predict when to replace and/or fill water so that water may be stably supplied in the water tank <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed at the upper and lower ends of the main wall 11c, and the lower end of the upper wall 11a and the upper end of the water tank base <NUM> may include grooves 11a1 and 13a, respectively, to correspond to the protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> of the main wall 11c. The protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may be inserted, into the grooves 11a1 and 13a, respectively, so that the main wall 11c may be pressed-fit or snapped-fit to the upper wall 11a and the water tank base <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> may further be welded or fused into the grooves 11a1 and 13a.

The main wall 11c may have a truncated cone shape in which an outer diameter (and/or an inner diameter) gradually decreases from the lower end to the upper end. The upper wall 11a may extend upward from the upper end of the main wall 11c and have an outer diameter gradually decreasing toward an upper end.

The upper wall 11a may include an outer wall or outer surface aligning with the main wall 11c and including the groove 11a1, and may further include an inner tank wall <NUM> that is coupled to the outer wall via first and second protruding plates <NUM> and <NUM>. The first and second protruding plates <NUM> and <NUM> may extend laterally from the outer wall toward a center of the water tank <NUM>, and may be spaced apart in a vertical direction. The inner tank wall <NUM> may extend between the first and second protruding plates <NUM> and <NUM>.

The inner tank wall <NUM> may be inclined, and positions of the first and second protruding plates <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured to set an inclination of the inner tank wall <NUM>. The first protruding plate <NUM> may be provided above the second protruding plate <NUM>. In addition, lengths of the first and second protruding plates <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured to set an inclination of the inner tank wall <NUM>. A length of the first protruding plate <NUM> may be shorter than a length of the second protruding plate <NUM>, and the inner tank wall <NUM> may be inclined outward from a lower end coupled to an inner end of the second protruding plate <NUM> to an upper end coupled to an inner end of the first protruding plate <NUM>. Outer ends of the first and second protruding plates <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled to the outer wall of the upper wall 11a.

An inner diameter of the storage space of the water tank <NUM> at the first protruding plate <NUM> may be larger than an inner diameter of the storage space of the water tank <NUM> at the second protruding plate <NUM>. An inner surface of the upper wall 11a, which may be defined by the inner tank wall <NUM>, may appear to have a truncated cone shape that is inclined in a direction opposite to an inclination of the outer surface of the water tank <NUM> defined by the wall <NUM>. A space between the outer wall of the upper wall 11a and the inner tank wall <NUM> may be hollow so as to use less material, save manufacturing costs, and reduce a weight of the water tank <NUM>.

The upper wall 11a and the inner tank wall <NUM> may serve to support the water guide <NUM>. The lower inclined surface <NUM> of the water guide <NUM> may be placed on and supported by the inner tank wall <NUM>.

The outer wall of the upper wall 11a may include an upwardly projecting wall or extension <NUM> projecting upward from the outer end of the first protruding plate <NUM>. A bumper <NUM> may be provided on the first protruding plate <NUM> and the extension <NUM>. The bumper <NUM> may be made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber, silicone, or fiber) and may be referred to as packing or cushioning. The bumper <NUM> may be fixed (e.g., adhered) to the upper wall 11a by a ring-shaped member made of a soft or elastic material (e.g., rubber, silicone, etc.). The bumper <NUM> may be fixed using an adhesive such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (e.g., double-sided tape or a bond). In this case, a bottom surface of the bumper <NUM> may be attached to an upper surface of the first protruding plate <NUM>, and an outer surface of the bumper <NUM> may be attached to an inner surface of the extension <NUM> of the upper wall 11a.

An inner circumferential surface of the bumper <NUM> may form an inclined surface inclined outward from a lower end to an upper end. The inclined surface of the bumper <NUM> may be in close contact with an outer surface of the outer wall <NUM> of the water guide <NUM> when the water guide <NUM> is inserted into the water tank <NUM>.

An outer circumferential surface <NUM> of the water tank base <NUM> may include a curved edge or corner <NUM> having a downward, convex curvature. The outer circumferential surface <NUM> may be curved from a lower end of the main wall 11c toward a lower end or bottom of the water tank base <NUM>. The edge <NUM> may extend from a lower side of the bottom plate <NUM> to a bottom side of the water tank base <NUM> by extending inward along the radial direction.

Although a curved edge <NUM> is exemplified in the figures, embodiments disclosed are not limited hereto. For example, the edge <NUM> may have a sharp corner. However, when the edge <NUM> is formed with angled corners, it may be inconvenient for a user to lift and pick up the water tank <NUM> as a space in which a user may wedge a finger is narrow. In addition, angled corners may be easier to strike and may cause an injury to animals.

A curved edge <NUM> may be easier for a user to lift, as a user may wedge a finger between the edge <NUM> and the floor or easily grip a bottom of the water tank base <NUM>. Further, a curved edge <NUM> may be more stable, as any unintended force by accidental strikes by a pet or the owner may be dispersed throughout the curved edge <NUM>. When a pet strikes the water tank <NUM> and the water tank <NUM> is moved or overturns, the curved edge <NUM> may roll back to an initial position to stabilize the water tank <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a radius of curvature R of the edge <NUM> of the water tank base <NUM> may be approximately <NUM> to <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>), but embodiments disclosed are not necessarily limited to this radius of curvature R. The radius of curvature R may be configured so that the edge <NUM> may be easily gripped and may reduce a possibility of the pet water dispenser from tipping over and spilling.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, at least one filter <NUM> and/or <NUM> to filter foreign substances contained in the water may be installed or provided in the water tank <NUM>. The at least one filter <NUM> and/or <NUM> may filter water in the water tank <NUM> before the water flows into the pump <NUM>. There may be a plurality of filters <NUM> and <NUM>. A first filter <NUM> may be a strainer having a trumpet or truncated cone shape. Alternatively, the first filter <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. The first filter <NUM> may be made out of a material having a considerable rigidity (e.g., metal or plastic). The first filter <NUM> may have a plurality of water inflow ports or through-holes formed on a wall to filter substances having a particle size larger than a size of the through-holes.

A lower end of the first filter <NUM> may be coupled to a lower filter cover or cap <NUM>. The lower filter cover or cap <NUM> may be inserted onto the protrusion <NUM> formed in the bottom plate <NUM>. The lower filter cover <NUM> may include a cap or cylindrical shell <NUM> formed with a concave space into which the protrusion <NUM> may be inserted at the bottom, and a flange <NUM> extending radially outward from a lower end of the cap <NUM> to be inserted into the groove <NUM> surrounding the protrusion <NUM>. The lower end of the first filter <NUM> may be coupled to an upper surface of the flange <NUM>, and the cap <NUM> may be provided within the first filter <NUM>.

The flange <NUM> may be configured to have a shape corresponding to a shape of the groove <NUM> so that the flange <NUM> may be seated in the groove <NUM> with the cap <NUM> overlaid on the projection <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may prevent a lateral or horizontal displacement of the first filter <NUM>.

A second filter <NUM> may be provided inside a hollow space of the first filter <NUM>. A predetermined space may be formed inside the second filter <NUM> in which the pump <NUM> may be provided. The second filter <NUM> may have a plurality of through holes formed in a wall through which substances in the water may be filtered. The through holes of the second filter <NUM> may be formed to be smaller than the through holes of the first filter <NUM> so that the second filter <NUM> may filter finer substances than the first filter <NUM>. Since the second filter <NUM> may surround the pump <NUM>, filtration may be performed regardless of a direction in which the water flows, and may be enhanced as compared to a case where a pump is provided on one side of a filter.

The second filter <NUM> may include a cylindrical outer wall or a first wall <NUM> formed with a plurality of through holes and a cylindrical inner wall <NUM> or a second wall provided inside the outer wall <NUM> and also having a plurality of through holes. The pump <NUM> may be provided inside of the inner wall <NUM>.

The inner wall <NUM> may be spaced apart from the outer wall <NUM> so that a space is formed between the outer wall <NUM> and the inner wall <NUM>. The space between the inner and outer walls <NUM> and <NUM> may be filled with a filter medium <NUM> (e.g., a carbon filter material). The filter medium <NUM> may include carbon particles, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the filter medium <NUM> may be a member made of a fiber or a network structure. Since the pump <NUM> may be provided inside of the inner wall <NUM> of the second filter <NUM>, filtered water may pass through the first filter <NUM>, the second filter <NUM>, and the filter medium <NUM> in that order to prevent or reduce an inflow of foreign matter into the pump <NUM>.

A support plate <NUM> may be further provided to close a lower side of the space filled with the filter medium <NUM> to support the filter medium <NUM>. The support plate <NUM> may also support the pump <NUM> provided inside of the inner wall <NUM>. An outer diameter of the support plate <NUM> may be substantially the same as an inner diameter of the outer wall <NUM>. The support plate <NUM> may divide the outer wall <NUM> into an upper and lower section. The upper section of the outer wall <NUM> may include through holes, while the lower section of the outer wall <NUM> may not include through holes.

The support plate <NUM> may be integrally formed with the inner wall <NUM> to close a lower opening of the inner wall <NUM>, but is not necessarily limited thereto. Alternatively, the support plate <NUM> may be formed separately from the inner wall <NUM> and later coupled to the lower end of the inner wall <NUM>. In such an alternative embodiment, the support plate <NUM> may be welded to be permanently fixed to the inner wall <NUM>, or may be configured to be detachable so that the filter medium <NUM> may be replaced. Otherwise, the filter medium <NUM> may be replaced by removing an upper filter cover <NUM> provided at upper ends of the first and second filter <NUM> and <NUM>. The upper filter cover <NUM> may be provided on upper ends of the inner and outer walls <NUM> and <NUM> of the second filter <NUM>, and on an upper end of the wall of the first filter <NUM>.

A support cylinder 44b may be provided between the second filter <NUM> and the lower filter cover <NUM>. The support cylinder 44b may be a cylindrical shell having a concave receiving space or cavity into which the lower filter cover <NUM> is inserted. At least a portion of the support cylinder 44b may be inserted into a lower opening defined by the lower section of the outer wall <NUM> of the second filter <NUM>. The lower opening of the outer wall <NUM> may be press-fitted into the support cylinder 44b. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a pressed-fitted coupling of the outer wall <NUM> and the support cylinder 44b, and the outer wall <NUM> of the second filter <NUM> may be coupled to the support cylinder 44b by fastening members such as screws or bolts.

A sealed space to receive a second wireless power transfer device <NUM> (e.g., a second wireless power transceiver or a receiver) that interacts with the first wireless power transfer device <NUM> may be formed within the second filter <NUM> between the support plate <NUM> and the support cylinder 44b. An upper portion of the support cylinder 44b may be coupled to a lower end of the outer wall <NUM>, and the sealed space may be defined by the support cylinder 44b on bottom, the support plate <NUM> on top, and the lower section of the outer wall <NUM> at sides. The lower section of the outer wall <NUM> may not have through holes so as to prevent water from leaking into the sealed space and damaging the second wireless power transfer device <NUM>. The second wireless power transfer device <NUM> may receive and/or transmit wireless power to or from the first wireless power transfer device <NUM>, and may generate inductive power to drive the electronic devices such as the pump <NUM>.

At least one sterilizing filter or sterilizing light <NUM> to sterilize water contained in the water tank <NUM> may be provided. The sterilizing filter <NUM> may include an ultraviolet (UV) light source. For convenience of description, the sterilizing filter <NUM> will be referred to as a UV light <NUM>. The UV light <NUM> may be provided on the lower end of the first filter <NUM> and on an upper surface of the flange <NUM> of the lower filter cover <NUM>. Light emitted by the UV light <NUM> may be irradiated to both inside and outside the first filter <NUM>.

Light emitted from the UV light <NUM> may be incident on the wall <NUM> and the bottom plate <NUM> of the water tank <NUM>. Some of the incident light may be reflected by an upper surface of the bottom plate <NUM> to reach all corners or areas of the container and/or storage space of the water tank <NUM>. Some of the light incident on the main wall 11c may pass through the main wall 11c because the main wall 11c of the water tank <NUM> is made of a transparent material, while some of the light may be reflected or refracted back into the water tank <NUM> toward the first filter <NUM>, as shown by the dotted line arrow in <FIG>. The UV light <NUM> may emit light in a visible wavelength (e.g., blue) in addition to UV light.

When an inner surface of the main wall 11c is vertical or inclined outward from the bottom end to the top end (as opposed to the truncated cone shape as exemplified in the figures), the UV light <NUM> may be less effective, as light incident on the inner surface of the main wall 11c may be reflected toward an upper side of the water tank <NUM> above a water surface. However, in the exemplified water tank <NUM> having a truncated cone shape inclined inward from the bottom end to the top end, light incident on the inner surface of the main wall 11c may be reflected back into a water-filled space of the water tank <NUM> and reach the first filter <NUM>.

There may be an optional second UV light provided on the lower end of the outer wall <NUM> of the second filter <NUM>, and a third UV light provided to surround an upper portion of the water supply pipe <NUM>. The second UV light may help sterilize water stored in the water tank <NUM>, while the third UV light may sterilize water flowing through the water supply pipe <NUM>. The third UV light may extend higher than an outlet end of the water supply pipe <NUM> to directly sterilize water before water is discharged through the water supply hole <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, an angle Θ between the main wall 11c and a horizontal axis may be an acute angle between <NUM>° and <NUM>° (e.g., <NUM>°). A position of the UV light <NUM> may be configured so that at least some of the light incident on the main wall 11c is reflected toward a center of the water tank <NUM>. The UV light <NUM> is provided at a position at or lower than a midpoint height (i.e., ½ of a height H) of the main wall 11c. When the first filter <NUM> is made of metal, the first filter <NUM> may also serve to reflect the UV light in the water tank <NUM>.

Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to a main wall 11c inclined by a predetermined angle Θ. As an example, the main wall 11c may be formed of a curved or wavy surface having a curvature in which a gradient changes within the above-mentioned angular range. The main wall 11c may have a predetermined thickness, and the inner surface and an outer surface of the main wall 11c may have equal same inclinations to form the predetermined angle Θ with the horizontal axis.

Referring back to <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper filter cover <NUM> may cover upper ends of the first and second filters <NUM> and <NUM> to close upper openings of the first and second filters <NUM> and <NUM>. The upper filter cover <NUM> may include a through hole formed at a center through which the water supply pipe <NUM> may pass.

The upper filter cover <NUM> may be fused or adhered to the first and second filters <NUM> and <NUM> so as to be integral, or alternatively may be detachably coupled to the first and second filters <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., via a hook or screw) to facilitate easy replacement or reparation of the first and second filters <NUM> and <NUM> and/or the filter medium <NUM>.

The base plate <NUM> may be spaced downward from the bottom to cover a lower opening of the water tank base <NUM> defined by a lower end of the outer peripheral surface <NUM>. A sealed space may be formed between the base plate <NUM> on bottom, the bottom plate <NUM> on top, and the water tank base <NUM> at a side. Various electronic devices (e.g., a thermoelectric element <NUM>) to be described later with reference to <FIG> may be installed in the space of the water tank base <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the base plate <NUM> may be placed on a docking station <NUM>. The docking station <NUM> may include a first connection terminal connected to an external power source through a wire <NUM>, and the base plate <NUM> may include a second connection terminal that electrically connects to the first connection terminal when the base plate <NUM> is seated on the docking station <NUM>. Power may be supplied from the second connection terminal to the first wireless power transfer device <NUM>, which may wireless transmit power via a wireless power transfer (WPT) method to the second wireless power transfer device <NUM>. At least one leg or support base <NUM> may be provided on a bottom of the base plate <NUM> to support the base plate <NUM>. The support base <NUM> may contact a floor or ground surface when the pet water dispenser is placed on the floor, and can support the pet water dispenser. The support base <NUM> may be formed as an annular rib or flange extending around the bottom of the base plate <NUM>, or alternatively there may be a plurality of legs <NUM> that protrude from a bottom of the base plate <NUM> at a plurality of positions along the edge of the bottom of the base plate <NUM>. A bumper or gripping surface or material made of a material having a strong grip or friction with the floor (e.g., rubber) may be provided on a bottom surface of the support base <NUM> to prevent the pet water dispenser from slipping or sliding.

The edge <NUM> of the water tank base <NUM> be formed on an outer side of the support base <NUM>. A bottom of the edge <NUM> may be provided higher than a lower end of the support base <NUM> such that the edge <NUM> may not contact the floor. The support base <NUM> may facilitate an easy lifting of the edge <NUM> by a user, as there may be more space between the edge <NUM> and the floor in which a user may wedge a finger for lifting.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a thermoelectric element <NUM> to maintain a temperature of water in the water tank <NUM> at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range may be provided under the bottom plate <NUM>. The thermoelectric element <NUM> may be a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) or a Peltier device. A motor <NUM> may be installed in a hollow portion or hole <NUM> provided in a center of the thermoelectric element <NUM>, and a fan <NUM> operated by the motor <NUM> may be provided below the motor <NUM>. A heat sink <NUM> may be provided to surround the fan <NUM>. The heat sink <NUM> may include a heat dissipation plate and a plurality of heat radiating fins provided on an upper, outer edge of the heat dissipation plate, and the plurality of heat radiating fins may surround the fan <NUM>. As an alternative, the heat radiating fins may be provided a lower, outer edge of the heat dissipation plate to extend downward.

A water temperature sensor <NUM> may be provided in the inner space inside the protrusion <NUM> and under the bottom plate <NUM>. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the water temperature sensor <NUM> may include a probe that is inserted through the bottom plate <NUM> to directly contact water in the water tank <NUM>. When a probe is omitted, the water temperature sensor <NUM> may be positioned right blow an upper end of the protrusion <NUM>, which may be made of metal or another heat transferring material, and the water temperature sensor <NUM> may have a large surface area to accurately measure a temperature of water flowing over the protrusion <NUM> and entering the pump <NUM>.

When a temperature of the water in the water tank <NUM> sensed by the water temperature sensor <NUM> is not within the predetermined temperature range, the thermoelectric element <NUM> may be operated to cool the water or heat the water accordingly, and excess heat (or cool air) may be transmitted to and dissipated through the heat sink <NUM> and vented to an outside via vents <NUM>. Alternatively or in addition thereto, there may be exhaust vents formed on a side or on the edge <NUM> of the water tank container <NUM>.

When a temperature of the thermoelectric element <NUM> is higher than a first thermoelectric predetermined temperature or when a temperature of the heat sink <NUM> is higher than a first heat sink predetermined temperature, the motor <NUM> may be operated to rotate the fan <NUM>. When the fan <NUM> is rotated, external air flows into the heat sink <NUM> and then is discharged to an outside through the vent <NUM> formed in the base <NUM>. The heat sink <NUM> and the thermoelectric element <NUM> may be cooled by the fan <NUM>.

A mounting portion <NUM> may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of the water tank base <NUM>, and may include a recession or cavity in which a water level sensor <NUM> may be provided. The water level sensor <NUM> may be a strain gauge or load sensor to sense a weight of water applied to the bottom plate <NUM> of the water tank <NUM>, and a water level or an amount of water in the water tank <NUM> may be determined by the weight of the water detected by the water level sensor <NUM>.

Various kinds of sensors such as a proximity sensor <NUM>, a gyro sensor <NUM>, and a contamination level sensor (not shown) may be provided in the mounting portion <NUM> of the water tank base <NUM>. The proximity sensor <NUM> may sense when a pet is within (or approaching within) a predetermined distance range of the pet water dispenser, and the gyro sensor <NUM> may sense an inclination or tilt of the water tank base <NUM> and/or the water supply plate <NUM>. The pump <NUM> may be controlled based on a pet position detected by the proximity sensor <NUM>. In addition, a plurality of legs <NUM> may have adjustable heights, and heights of the plurality of legs <NUM> may be adjusted based on an inclination sensed by the gyro sensor <NUM>.

A warning light <NUM> may be provided on a lower portion of the water tank base <NUM>. When a water level in the water tank <NUM> detected by the water level sensor <NUM> is lower than a predetermined water level value, the warning light <NUM> may be turned on to alert a user to replace or refill water in the tank <NUM>. The warning light <NUM> may be a ring-shaped light emitting diode (LED) or organic light emitting diode (OLED), and may emit visible light of various wavelengths. For example, when the water level in the water tank <NUM> sensed by the water level sensor <NUM> is lower than a predetermined water level value, the warning light <NUM> may blink red light.

Referring to <FIG>, there may be a controller C and an auxiliary battery B provided in a sealed space defined by the upper filter cover <NUM>, the partition plate <NUM>, and the inner guide wall <NUM> of the water guide <NUM>. The auxiliary battery B may be charged by induced power provided by the second wireless power transfer device <NUM>, and the controller C may control an operation of the pump <NUM>. The controller C may have a communication module to communicate with a communication module of a second controller provided in the water tank base <NUM> that controls an operation of the thermoelectric element <NUM>, the water level sensor <NUM>, the water temperature sensor <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, the proximity sensor <NUM>, and the gyro sensor <NUM>. The second controller may control an operation of the warning light <NUM>, the thermoelectric element <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, and the optional adjustable legs <NUM>, and may communicate with the controller C based on sensed measurements from the water level sensor <NUM>, the water temperature sensor <NUM>, the proximity sensor <NUM>, and the gyro sensor <NUM>.

A center of gravity of the water tank <NUM> may be entirely located at a lower side, as the thermoelectric element <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, the heat sink <NUM>, etc. provided in the water tank base <NUM> may provide substantial weight. Even when a substantial external force is applied, the water tank <NUM> may remain in a stable position without being tilted or overturned due to a low center of gravity, and water may be continuously supplied to the pet.

Embodiments disclosed herein may provide a pet water dispenser capable of preventing a water tank from overturning even when a pet pushes the water tank. The pet water dispenser may be equipped with a sterilizing filter using a UV light source, wherein ultraviolet rays emitted from the sterilizing filter may evenly reach and be dispersed throughout the water tank. A pet may drink water in a wide area even if an upper opening of the water tank is small. A cross section of the water tank may become smaller in an upward direction of the water tank. Scattering of water to an outside of the water tank may be prevented or reduced, while a drinking area above the opening of the water tank may be wider than the opening of the water tank. Light emitted by the sterilizing filter and incident on an inner surface of the water tank may effectively reach a filter provided in a center of the water tank.

The problems solved by embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned may be clearly understood to be solved by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Water of a pet water dispenser may be provided in a water tank and pumped by a pump to reach a water supply plate via a water supply pipe. Depending on its preference or taste, a pet or an animal may drink water on the water supply plate, or may drink water falling from the water supply plate.

The water tank may include a wall defining a space or storage space to store water and a water tank base to support the wall from below. The wall may have a cylindrical shape or a truncated cone shape and may define a circumference of the space in a state of being provided on and supported by the water tank base.

When viewed from above, a top of the wall defining an upper opening may be entirely within a region defined by a bottom of the wall, and the wall may have an outer shape that gradually increases from a top to a bottom. The wall may be in the form of a truncated cone having a circular cross-sectional shape.

The wall may include a main wall extending upward from the water tank base and an upper wall extending upward from an upper end of the main wall and defining an upper end thereof. The main wall may be inclined so that an inner surface progresses radially inward toward an upper side. The main wall may be made of a transparent material. A light source to introduce or emit UV light into the main wall may be provided in the water tank. An angle of the main wall with respect to a horizontal axis or direction may be <NUM> to <NUM> degrees. The main wall may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that light reflected from the light source may concentrate on the water contained inside the water tank and/or the filter, and reflected light (UV light) may effectively reach the filter. The first filter may surround the pump in the water tank to filter the water entering the pump. The light source may be provided below the first filter.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an inner side surface or inner surface of the wall of the water tank may be tilted radially outward from an upper end or side defining the opening toward the lower side. Since the inner side surface of the wall may be inclined toward a central portion (or inward along the radial direction) toward the upper side of the water tank, the light from the light source (sterilizing filter) may be reflected and the reflected light may be increased in the downward direction with respect to the horizontal direction, and the reflected light may be concentrated on the water contained in the water tank.

The wall may include a main wall extending upward from the water tank base and an upper wall extending upward from an upper end of the main wall and defining an upper end thereof. An inclination may be formed on an inner surface of the main wall. The main wall may be made of a transparent material. The light source may be provided at a position not exceeding a middle height of the main wall, or at or below half a length of the main wall. An angle of the inner side surface of the main wall with respect to the horizontal direction may be <NUM> to <NUM> degrees.

The first filter may surround the pump in the water tank, and may further surround a second filter that filters water flowing into the pump. The light source may be provided below the first filter. A bottom plate, which may be made of a metal material, may be provided on an inner side of the water tank to define a lower end of the space where water may be stored.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a pet water dispenser may include a water tank base having a wall defining a space inside of the water tank base, a wall supporting the wall from below and an opening formed in the bottom, and a docking base or base plate having a support base or a support on a bottom.

An outer surface of the water tank base may include a convex curved surface portion or a curved corner or edge extending upward from an outer side of the supporter in a radially outward direction. The curved surface portion may function to reduce a horizontal component of any force applied to the pet water dispenser by dispersing the force downward along the curved surface portion even if the animal applies force horizontally with a foot or with claws to push the water tank. The curved surface portion may extend along a circumference of the water tank base to form an annular shape.

A radius of curvature of the curved surface portion may be <NUM> to <NUM>. The support base may separate a bottom surface of the water tank base from a floor or ground surface where the water tank is mounted. A friction member or gripping surface may be provided on a bottom surface of the support.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a pet water dispenser may include a water tank or a chamber having a space or storage space to store water having an opened upper surface or an upper opening, a pump installed or provided in the water tank, a water supply pipe to transfer water discharged from the pump, and a water supply plate or an upper plate provided above the water supply pipe and supplied with water from the water supply pipe. The water tank may include a wall defining the space, a water tank base or container support supporting the wall from a lower side, and a sterilizing filter or light source provided below a first filtering filter or filter in the water tank to emit ultraviolet rays. An inner side surface of the wall may be located below an upper end defining the opening. A slope or inclination of the wall may be made to advance radially outward. A metal bottom plate may be provided on an inner side of the water tank below the light source.

Embodiments disclosed herein may include a pet water dispenser having a water tank or water storage chamber. An outer wall of the tank may increases graduall toward a lower side to have a truncated cone or trapezoidal shape, and may not be easily upset even if an external force acts on the tank.

The shape of the tank may resemble collimated light, and, regardless of how much water is stored in the tank, a center of gravity may remain stable when compared to a cylindrical tank of a vertically constant cross-section, and thus may not be easily upset even if a pet attempts to overturn the tank. A center of gravity of the tank may remain on a lower side of the tank.

An inclination of an inner surface of walls of the tank may be configured to be inward from a bottom side to a top side. The inclination may be configured such that light incident on the inner surface and emitted from a UV light source provided in the water tank may be reflected by the walls of the tank, and the reflected light may be concentrated in or toward water contained in the water tank, and sterilization of the water may be improved.

When a filter to filter the water flowing into the pump is provided in the water tank, the light reflected on the inner side surface of the wall of the tank may be concentrated on or toward the filter, improving a sterilizing effect of the filter.

The pet water dispenser may include a convex curved surface portion or a curved corner or edge provided to be curved upwardly radially outwardly around a water tank base constituting a lower portion of the water tank. Even if an animal tries to push the water tank with a foot or a claw, an applied force may be dispersed downward along the curved surface portion, preventing the water tank from being rolled over. When the docking base or base plate is provided in a lower opening formed in a bottom surface or end of the water tank base, and the docking base is supported by a lower supporting member or leg, the docking base and the water tank base may be prevented from rocking.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a liquid dispenser comprising a tank having an upper opening and a chamber defined by a wall, a pump provided in the chamber, a pipe to transfer liquid discharged from the pump, a plate provided above the tank and supplied with liquid from the pipe, and a base provided below the wall of the tank to support the wall. The wall may define a cross-sectional area, the cross-section area may increase from a lower end of the tank to an upper end of the tank, and the lower end may be provided on the base.

The wall of the tank may include a main wall extending upward from the base and having an inward inclination from a lower end provided on the base to an upper end, and an upper wall extending upward from the upper end of the main wall. An upper end of the upper wall may constitute the upper end of the wall of the tank defining the upper opening. The main wall may be made of transparent material.

A sterilizing light may emit UV light toward the main wall. The main wall may be inclined such that an angle between the main wall and a horizontal axis may be between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. A first filter may surround the pump to filter liquid entering the pump, and a second filter may be provided within the first filter to surround the pump. The sterilizing light may be provided on a lower end of the first filter.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a liquid dispenser including a tank having a wall defining a chamber in which liquid may be stored, a pump provided in the tank to pump liquid in the chamber, a plate provided above the tank, a pipe connecting the pump to the plate to transfer liquid discharged from the pump to an upper surface of the plate, a UV light to emit UV light toward the wall, and a base provided below the wall to support the tank, wherein the wall may be inclined inward from a bottom end to a top end.

The wall may include a main wall having a bottom end provided on the base and an upper end from which an upper wall extends. An upper end of the upper wall may include an upper opening that may be exposed when the plate may be lifted away from the upper wall. The main wall may be transparent.

The UV light may be provided at a position that may have a height at or below a midpoint height of the main wall. An angle between an inner surface of the main wall and a horizontal axis may be between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. A filter may be provided to have a plurality of through-holes and surround the pump in the tank. The UV light may be provided on a lower end of the filter. A bottom plate may define a lower end of the chamber. The bottom plate may be made of metal, and the bottom plate may be provided below the UV light.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a liquid dispenser comprising a tank, a pump to pump liquid stored in the tank, a pipe through which liquid discharged from the pump flows, a plate provided above the tank and supplied with liquid from the pipe, a base provided below the tank to support the tank, the base having an edge that may be convexly curved, a base plate provided below the base to close a lower opening of the base, and a support formed on a bottom surface of the base plate to space the base plate apart from a surface on which the liquid dispenser may be placed.

The edge of the base may form a curved corner surrounding the base and may be curved inward from a top end of the base toward the base plate. A radius of curvature of the edge of the base may be <NUM> to <NUM>. At least one electronic device may be provided in the base above the base plate and below the tank. A bottom surface of the support may be made of a material configured to grip the surface on which the liquid dispenser may be placed.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a liquid dispenser comprising a tank, a pump, a pipe coupled to the pump to transfer liquid discharged from the pump, a plate provided above the tank and having a hole communicating with the pipe such that an upper surface of the plate may be supplied with liquid from the pipe via the hole, a base provided below the tank to support the tank, a first filter to filter the water introduced into the pump, and a UV light provided below the first filter to emit ultraviolet rays toward a side of the tank. The side of the tank may be inclined inward from a bottom end to a top end. A bottom plate made of metal may be provided under the UV light.

A liquid guide may be provided below the plate to catch liquid falling off the plate and an illumination assembly provided between the liquid guide and the plate to support the plate above the liquid guide. The plate and the liquid guide may together close an upper opening of the tank when the liquid guide is inserted into the tank.

Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Claim 1:
A liquid dispenser, comprising:
a tank (<NUM>) having an upper opening and a chamber defined by a wall (<NUM>);
a pump (<NUM>) provided in the chamber;
a pipe (<NUM>) to transfer liquid discharged from the pump (<NUM>);
a plate (<NUM>) provided above the tank (<NUM>) and supplied with liquid from the pipe (<NUM>); and
a base (<NUM>) provided below the wall (<NUM>) of the tank (<NUM>) to support the wall (<NUM>), wherein the wall (<NUM>) defines a cross-sectional area, the cross-section area increases from an upper end of the tank (<NUM>) to a lower end of the tank (<NUM>),
the wall (<NUM>) is inclined inward from a bottom end to a top end,
the wall (<NUM>) includes a main wall (11c) having a bottom end provided on the base (<NUM>) and an upper end from which an upper wall (11a) extends, and wherein an upper end of the upper wall (11a) includes an upper opening that is exposed when the plate (<NUM>) is lifted away from the upper wall (11a),
wherein
a UV light (<NUM>) that emits UV light toward the main wall (11c), wherein the UV light is provided at a position that has a height at or below a midpoint height of the main wall (11c).