Apparatus and method for controlling the filling and emptying of a fluid container
US7874325B2 · kind B2 · utility
4Cited by
14References
14Claims
0Family size
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16K7/02
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for emptying and filling a fluid container. A flow-actuated valve inside a fill tube regulates the flow through the fill tube. A cap containing the valve and a vent tube can be installed on a modified bottle used to supply water dispensers, thus enabling a user to continuously replenish the bottle from a remote supply. Alternatively, a cap containing the valve, a vent tube, and two fluid level sensors can be installed on a conventional bottle. A user is thus relieved of the burden of repetitive bottle changing, and is able to treat the water to his own specifications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.