Patent ID: 12202721

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present application provides a novel water dispenser for dispensing filtered water. The water dispenser according to a preferred embodiment includes the elements listed herein and as shown inFIGS.1-18.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a water dispenser100according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser100generally includes a bottom tank103and a top tank118. The top tank118has an aperture therein that interfaces with a filter assembly. Water to be filtered is deposited in the top tank118, gravity causes the water to pass through the aperture and then through the filter assembly, which removes contaminants from the water. The filtered water is stored in the bottom tank103, which has a spout therein for dispensing the water. The tanks are preferably removably attached to each other, such that the filter assembly is sandwiched between the two tanks. The filter assembly may be removably attached to the bottom of the top tank118, as shown. Various attachment methods may be used to attach the filter assembly to the bottom tank, including with filter clamps113as shown inFIGS.1-14and/or with a soft seal assembly as shown inFIGS.15-19.

One other feature of this dispenser may include a design in which the top tank is larger than the bottom tank. The use of the float valve (/hydrophobic vent system) allows for a larger top reservoir so as to ensure the bottom tank stays full as much as possible, due to it starting to refill most every time water is withdrawn from the bottom tank since there is still more water in the top (10 liters top vs 6 liters bottom in one embodiment). Other designs tend to make their top tanks smaller than the bottom as they don't have a means of preventing overflow when the bottom tank gets filled and hence, they overflow and flood if the top tank is larger. Also, the bottom tank may telescopically fit fully within the top tank in packed mode (FIG.4) so as to greatly reduce the shipping and storage requirements.

FIG.2is an exploded view of a water dispenser100according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a float valve system (e.g., a float body, float valve and float seal, as shown inFIGS.11-13) that regulates the water level in the bottom tank103. The Float Valve105automatically opens when the water level in the bottom tank103is lowered due to water being withdrawn via the Spigot102. This allows water from the top tank118to resume flow through the filters113/114/115into the bottom tank103. When sufficient water has flowed to refill the bottom tank103, the rising water level lifts the Float106which causes the Float Seal104to come into contact with the Float Valve105thereby shutting off flow of water from the top tank118, preventing overfilling of the bottom tank103. A commensurate means of allowing air to flow into and out of the sealed bottom tank103is required when it is being filled or drained in order to equalize pressure without allowing airborne pathogens to enter the bottom tank103. This is accomplished by the use of a hydrophobic vent.

FIG.2further illustrates the components of the water dispenser according to one embodiment. As depicted, stand1provides a stable base for dispenser100. The spigot102may include nuts and washers while providing for a means for dispensing of purified water. Bottom tank103may be sealed for storage of purified water. A float seal104may act as a seal for a valve to control water level in the bottom tank103. A float valve105may include a valve for controlling water level in the bottom tank103. The general float mechanism106further controls water level in the bottom tank103. According to one embodiment, siphon tube107may improve water flow through filters by increasing functional head. The bottom tank cover108seals the bottom tank103and incorporates float assembly104,105,106, along with siphon tube107passing through a hole in the seal108(as shown inFIGS.4b-4c. A hydrophobic vent109allows for passage of clean air into/out of bottom tank103. Cam handles110provide clamping pressure and locking of filter clamp. A washer111may prevent leakage of clean water between top and bottom tanks. A filter clamp112may hold filters in place and provide clamping pressure. Nanotech filter113may remove all listed contaminants from raw water. A carbon prefilter114may extend the life of nanotech filter113by providing additional NOM removal capacity. A sediment prefilter115may extend the life of a nanotech filter by providing additional sediment removal capacity. In one embodiment, a fastener is a fixture for cam handles to act against and to provide clamping pressure. The filter frame117is a mounting point for pre filters. The top tank118provides storage of raw water for purification. The magnet119for the counter may activate the counter to keep track of top tank filling cycles. In one embodiment, the top tank cover120provides cover for top tank and mounting for counter and storage for siphon and spigot caps. According to one embodiment, the splash guard121protects counters from splashed water damage. The spigot cap122may prevent entry of contaminants to the bottom tank when not in use. The Siphon cap123may prevent entry of contaminants to the bottom tank when not in use. Counter124may keep track of top tank filling cycles for monitoring filter life.

In one embodiment, a hydrophobic vent that employs a membrane that will let air pass through, but does not allow microbes or water to pass, may be used without a float system. The membrane, being hydrophobic, doesn't let water pass through, which thereby stops water flow from top to bottom when the bottom tank is full, without leaking. That is, the vent is “closed” by the water contacting and occluding the bottom surface of the hydrophobic membrane and then “opened” again when water is drawn out of the lower tank and air can again flow through.

FIG.3is a cross sectional view of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.3includes, inter alia, the top tank cover120, the filter clamp112and the tank cover108.

FIG.4a-care cross-sectional views of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein in packed form for shipping. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.4b-cincludes, inter alia, the top tank cover, the filter clamp and the tank cover, as well as the other components shown in the Figs. herein, packing in a compact form.

FIG.5ais a partial disassembly of the top tank of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.3includes, inter alia, the top tank cover120, splash guard which protects counter from splashed water damage, the spigot cap, siphon cap123, and counter124.FIG.5bis a partial disassembly of the top tank of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.5bincludes, inter alia, the filter clamp112and the tank cover108.

FIG.6ais an exploded view of the top tank of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.6aincludes, inter alia, the top tank cover120, the filter clamp112and the filter frame117.FIG.6bis an exploded view of the top tank of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.6bincludes, inter alia, the top tank cover120, the filter clamp112and the filter frame117.

FIG.7ais a cross sectional view of the top tank of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.7aincludes, inter alia, the top tank cover120and the filter clamp112.FIG.7bis a cross sectional view of the top tank of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.7b, inter alia, includes the top tank cover120and the filter clamp112.

FIG.8is a cross sectional view of the top tank of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.8aincludes, inter alia, the top tank cover120and the filter clamp112.FIG.8bis a cross sectional view of the top tank of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.8bincludes, inter alia, the top tank cover120and the filter clamp112.

FIG.9ais a partial disassembly of the bottom tank and stand of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.9aincludes, inter alia, the spigot102and the base101.FIG.9bis a partial disassembly of the bottom tank and stand of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.9bincludes, inter alia, the spigot102and the base101.

FIG.10ais a partial disassembly of the bottom tank and stand of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.10aincludes, inter alia, the base101and the float assembly mechanism106.FIG.10bis a partial disassembly of the bottom tank and stand of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.10bincludes, inter alia, the tank cover108and the float assembly mechanism106.

FIG.11is a cross sectional view of the bottom tank of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.11aincludes, inter alia, the spigot102, the tank cover108and the float assembly mechanism106.FIG.11bis a cross sectional view of the bottom tank of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.11bincludes, inter alia, the spigot102and the float assembly mechanism106.

FIG.12is an exploded view of the bottom tank and stand of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.12aincludes, inter alia, the base101and the float assembly mechanism106.FIG.12bis an exploded view of the bottom tank and stand of a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The dispenser illustrated inFIG.12bincludes, inter alia, the base101, the float assembly mechanism106and the tank cover.

FIG.13aincludes a float system assembly for use in a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The float system assembly106inFIG.13ais depicted as a cross sectional view.FIG.13bincludes, inter alia, a float system assembly for use in a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The float106inFIG.13bis depicted as a top side overhead view. The float system assembly106inFIG.13bfurther includes, inter alia, a float seal104may act as a seal for valve to control water level in the bottom tank103and a float valve105may include a valve for controlling water level in the bottom tank103.FIG.13cincludes, inter alia, various views of a float system assembly for use in a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The float106inFIG.13cis depicted as a top side split float system assembly view. The pegs at the top of the float assembly106align the assembly106with the seal108and allow the float to move vertically while resisting lateral or rotational movement. In this regard, the tank cover108may include the corresponding structure to receive the float and/or pegs.

FIG.14is an exploded view of a filter assembly for use with a water dispenser according to one embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The filter assembly ofFIG.14for use with water dispenser100includes, inter alia, a tank cover108, a nanotech filter113, a carbon pre filter114, a sediment prefilter115and a filter frame117.FIG.14further includes filter clamp, cam handles, and fasteners.

FIG.15ais a partial disassembly of a water dispenser according to a second embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The partial disassembly of the water dispenser100ofFIG.15aincludes, inter alia, a top tank118.FIG.15bis a partial disassembly of a water dispenser according to a second embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The partial disassembly of the water dispenser100ofFIG.15bincludes, inter alia, a top tank118and a filter clamp112117for filter installation. The filter clamp may be a square plate that mounts externally and holds the filters in place. The filter frame, in contrast, is a spider web like internal element that the filters mount on (not to be confused with the also spider web like inner surface of the Filter clamp).

FIG.16is an exploded view of a filter assembly for use with a water dispenser according to a second embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The filter assembly ofFIG.16aincludes, inter alia, a top tank118and a filter clamp112.FIG.16bis an exploded view of a filter assembly for use with a water dispenser according to a second embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The filter assembly ofFIG.16includes, inter alia, a top tank118and a filter clamp117.

FIG.17is a cross sectional view of the top tank of a water dispenser according to a second embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The top tank118of the water dispenser inFIG.17includes, inter alia, a filter clamp112among other elements.FIG.17is a cross sectional view of the top tank of a water dispenser according to a second embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The top tank118of the water dispenser inFIG.17includes, inter alia, a filter clamp117among other elements.

FIG.18ais a cross sectional view of the top tank of a water dispenser according to a second embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The top tank118of the water dispenser inFIG.1aincludes, inter alia, a filter clamp112among other elements.FIG.18bis a cross sectional view of the top tank of a water dispenser according to a second embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. The top tank118of the water dispenser inFIG.18bincludes, inter alia, a filter frame117among other elements.

FIG.19is an exploded view of the top tank of a water dispenser according to a second embodiment of the dispensers disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the exploded view of the top tank118of the water dispenser100ofFIG.19includes a top tank131for storage of raw water for purification, a soft seal (Primary/Upper)132(Primary Soft Seal for conformal seal to Nanotech Filter (tank side)), a soft seal (Primary/Lower)133(Primary Soft Seal for conformal seal to Nanotech Filter (filter clamp side)), a soft seal (Secondary)134(Secondary Soft Seal for conformal seal to Top Tank), a filter clamp135which holds filters in place and provides clamping pressure for seals, a washer136which prevents leakage of clean water between top and bottom Tanks and clamp handles137which provide clamping pressure and locking of filter clamp135.

While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, from a reading of the disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention (e.g., changes to the shape of the top and/or bottom tanks from round to oval, rectangular, etc.; from rigid to collapsible forms).