Mounting adapter and related bottle cap for a bottled water cooler
US6167921A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB67D3/0032
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A mounting adapter and related bottle cap are provided for use in a bottled water cooler having an upwardly open reservoir for receiving a supply of water from a bottle mounted over the reservoir in an inverted orientation to permit water downflow from the bottle to the reservoir. The mounting adapter comprises a compact housing for press-fit installation into an upper region of the reservoir, wherein the adapter housing carries an outer seal ring for sealing engagement with an inner wall surface of the reservoir. An upstanding feed tube or probe carried by the adapter housing includes separate air and water flow passages as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,152, and has an upper tip end shaped for opening and closing a valved bottle cap mounted on the neck of a water-containing bottle supported in an inverted position over the reservoir. The bottle cap may be constructed, e.g., according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,125, with an outer skirt adapted for reusable snap-fit mounting onto and removal from the necks of successive water bottles mounted on the cooler. The adapter housing includes handle ports formed in an upper segment thereof for facilitated mounting of the adapter into and rem…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.