US5042689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bottled water cooler having vent on demand delivery system
Assignee: Scotsman Group LLC
•
Filing: 1988-03-31
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Granted: 1991-08-27
•
Expires: 2008-03-31
Abstract
Abstract The vent on demand system for bottled water coolers employs a suction wand having water suction tube, vent tube and air pressure tube for sensing the water level within the bottle. The plumbing system is only exposed to atmospheric air during water dispensing. Air pressure trapped within a bulb well located at the lowermost end of the wand responds to water level within the bottle by changing air pressure which is sensed by a pressure switch employed to disengage the pump when water levels approach empty. A check valve prevents air from entering the water suction tube during bottle replacement and the vent tube is coupled through a vent valve which maintains the water delivery system in a sealed state, only venting to atmosphere during actual water delivery. The vent valve is simultaneously actuated when either hot or cold water buttons are depressed with the pump being actuated momentarily thereafter.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald J. Mrugala
- 👤 Doyle Raymer
- 👤 Dipak J. Negandhi
- 👤 Robert L. Latzko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/14; G01F23/16; G01F23/162; B; B67; B67D; B67D1/00; B67D1/08; B67D1/0857; B67D1/0858; B67D3/00; B67D3/04; B67D3/041; G01F23/18; G01F23/185; B67D2210/00; B67D2210/00028; B67D2210/00099; B67D2210/00118
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A water delivery system for dispensing water from a bottle, comprising: means for drawing water from said bottle; means coupled to said drawing means for sealing the interior of said bottle from the atmosphere; means coupled to said sealing means for selectively venting the interior of said bottle to atmosphere; actuation means operatively connected to said drawing means and to said venting means and having sequence establishing means for sequentially first causing said venting means to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere and thereafter causing said drawing means to dispense water from said bottle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A water delivery system for dispensing water from a bottle, comprising: means for drawing water from said bottle; means coupled to said drawing means for sealing the interior of said bottle from the atmosphere; means coupled to said sealing means for selectively venting the interior of said bottle to atmosphere; actuation means operatively connected to said drawing means and to said venting means and having sequence establishing means for sequentially first causing said venting means to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere and thereafter causing said drawing means to dispense water from said bottle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said actuation means causes venting and dispensing to occur in a temporal sequence, with venting occurring a predetermined time before dispensing occurs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said drawing means includes a water draw tube communicating with the interior of said bottle and a pumping means for applying a force tending to urge water in said bottle through said draw tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said drawing means further includes check valve means coupled to said water draw tube for sealing at least a portion of said water draw tube from air intake during water bottle replacement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 3 further comprising level sensing means for inhibiting said pumping means from applying said force when said water in said bottle reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising level sensing means for preventing said drawing means from dispensing water from said bottle when the water level in said bottle reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said level sensing means comprises pressure sensing means responsive to the water level in said bottle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said pumping means is electrically operated an wherein said level sensing means comprises pressure sensing means electrically coupled to said pumping means and responsive to the water level in said bottle for electrically inhibiting said pumping means from operating when the water in said bottle reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising air filtration means disposed in communication with said means for selectively venting the interior of said bottle to atmosphere.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
167 words
A water delivery system for dispensing water at first and second temperatures from a bottle comprising: means for drawing water from said bottle; means coupled to said drawing means for sealing the interior of said bottle from the atmosphere; means coupled to said sealing means for selectively venting the interior of said bottle to atmosphere; first means coupled to said drawing means for providing and dispensing water at a first temperature; second means coupled to said drawing means for providing and dispensing water at a second temperature; first actuation means coupled to said first means and to said venting means for causing said venting means to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere and to cause said first means to dispense water at said first temperature; second actuation means coupled to said second means and to said venting means for causing said venting means to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere and to cause said second means to dispense water at said second temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
167 words
A water delivery system for dispensing water at first and second temperatures from a bottle comprising: means for drawing water from said bottle; means coupled to said drawing means for sealing the interior of said bottle from the atmosphere; means coupled to said sealing means for selectively venting the interior of said bottle to atmosphere; first means coupled to said drawing means for providing and dispensing water at a first temperature; second means coupled to said drawing means for providing and dispensing water at a second temperature; first actuation means coupled to said first means and to said venting means for causing said venting means to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere and to cause said first means to dispense water at said first temperature; second actuation means coupled to said second means and to said venting means for causing said venting means to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere and to cause said second means to dispense water at said second temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said first actuation means causes venting and dispensing to occur in a temporal sequence, with venting occurring a predetermined time before dispensing occurs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said first and second actuation means cause venting and dispensing to occur in a temporal sequence, with venting occurring a predetermined time before dispensing occurs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said drawing means includes a water draw tube communicating with the interior of said bottle and a pumping means for applying a force tending to urge water in said bottle through said draw tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said drawing means further includes check valve means coupled to said water draw tube for sealing at least a portion of said water draw tube from air intake during water bottle replacement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 13 further comprising level sensing means for inhibiting said pumping means from applying said force when said water in said bottle reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 10 further comprising level sensing means for preventing said drawing means from dispensing water from said bottle when the water level in said bottle reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said level sensing means comprises pressure sensing means responsive to the water level in said bottle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said pumping means is electrically operated and wherein said level sensing means comprises pressure sensing means electrically coupled to said pumping means and responsive to the water level in said bottle for electrically inhibiting said pumping means from operating when the water in said bottle reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 10 further comprising air filtration means disposed in communication with said venting means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
118 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said first means includes a first valve means, wherein said second means includes a second valve means and wherein said venting means includes a vent valve means; said first and second valve means being disposed adjacent said vent valve means; wherein said first and second actuation means include push button actuators having valve operating means operated by said push button actuators; wherein said valve operating means of said first actuation means is disposed to substantially simultaneously operate said first valve means and said vent valve means; and wherein said valve operating means of said second actuation means is disposed to substantially simultaneously operate said second valve means and said vent valve means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
131 words
A water delivery system for dispensing water from a bottle, comprising: means for drawing water from said bottle; means coupled to said drawing means for sealing the interior of said bottle from the atmosphere; means coupled to said sealing means for selectively venting the interior of said bottle to the atmosphere; actuation means operatively connected to said drawing means and to said venting means and having sequence establishing means for sequentially causing said venting means to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere and to cause said drawing means to dispense water from said bottle; and level sensing means responsive to the water in said bottle for preventing said drawing means from dispensing water in response to said actuation means when the water in said bottle reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
131 words
A water delivery system for dispensing water from a bottle, comprising: means for drawing water from said bottle; means coupled to said drawing means for sealing the interior of said bottle from the atmosphere; means coupled to said sealing means for selectively venting the interior of said bottle to the atmosphere; actuation means operatively connected to said drawing means and to said venting means and having sequence establishing means for sequentially causing said venting means to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere and to cause said drawing means to dispense water from said bottle; and level sensing means responsive to the water in said bottle for preventing said drawing means from dispensing water in response to said actuation means when the water in said bottle reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said level sensing means comprises pressure sensing means responsive to the water level in said bottle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 21 further comprising electrically operated pumping means for applying a force tending to dispense water from said bottle and wherein said level sensing means comprises pressure sensing means electrically coupled to said pumping means and responsive to the water level in said bottle for electrically inhibiting said pumping means from operating when the water in said bottle reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 21 further comprising wand means for insertion into said bottle, said wand means having means for sealing the interior of said bottle from the atmosphere and having means for communicating with said drawing means, said venting means and said level sensing means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said wand means further includes check valve means for inhibiting the entry of air into said drawing means when said wand means is removed from insertion in said bottle during bottle replacement.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
148 words
A delivery system for dispensing water from a bottle, comprising: water draw tube communicating with the interior of said bottle; electrically actuated pumping means for applying a force tending to urge water in said bottle through said drawn tube; means coupled to said draw tube for sealing the interior of said bottle form atmosphere; means coupled to said draw tube for sealing the interior of said bottle from atmosphere; actuation means electrically coupled to said pumping means and also coupled to said venting means for causing said venting means to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere and for also electrically actuating said pumping means; wherein said actuation means includes sequence establishing means for establishing a relationship between the time at which said venting means is caused to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere and the time at which said pumping means is electrically actuated.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
148 words
A delivery system for dispensing water from a bottle, comprising: water draw tube communicating with the interior of said bottle; electrically actuated pumping means for applying a force tending to urge water in said bottle through said drawn tube; means coupled to said draw tube for sealing the interior of said bottle form atmosphere; means coupled to said draw tube for sealing the interior of said bottle from atmosphere; actuation means electrically coupled to said pumping means and also coupled to said venting means for causing said venting means to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere and for also electrically actuating said pumping means; wherein said actuation means includes sequence establishing means for establishing a relationship between the time at which said venting means is caused to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere and the time at which said pumping means is electrically actuated.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 26 wherein said relationship established by said sequence establishing means is such that said venting means is caused to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere before said force applied by said pumping reaches a substantial level.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 26 wherein said relationship established by said sequence establishing means is such that said venting means is caused to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere before said force applied by said pumping causes a substantial movement of water out from said bottle.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 26 wherein said relationship established by said sequence establishing means is such that said venting means is caused to vent the interior of said bottle to atmosphere before said force applied by said pumping causes a substantial movement of water through said draw tube.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-26 | 1995-02-25 | 1995-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-26 | 1999-02-25 | 1999-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-26 | 2003-02-25 | 2003-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |