Bottled water station with removable reservoir
US5297700A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 1993 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 2, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB67D3/0038
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved bottled water station is provided of the type having a removable reservoir for drop-in installation into and lift-out removal from a station housing. The reservoir is constructed from a lightweight molded plastic or the like to have an open upper end for receiving and supporting an inverted water bottle. A bottom wall on the reservoir includes an upwardly recessed portion defining an inverted receiver cup for slide-fit reception of an upstanding chiller probe provided as part of a refrigeration system on the station housing. A vent path is provided to vent the space between the chiller probe and the receiver cup during drop-in installation or lift-out removal of the reservoir. However, when the reservoir is seated in a fully installed position, the vent path is closed and a vapor seal prevents air circulation into the space between the chiller probe and the receiver cup, to correspondingly prevent undesired formation of condensation and/or frost. One or more faucet valves are provided to extend through openings in a front wall of the station housing for dispensing water from the reservoir.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.