Extendable spout for use with ice and water dispensers
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B67D-003/00
출원번호
US-0242831
(2002-09-13)
발명자
/ 주소
Shypkowski, Eugene G.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
20인용 특허 :
1
초록▼
An extendable ice and water spout comprising a cylindrical inlet adapter tube that is about 3-inches long coupling to one or more additional telescoping extendable tubes, each successive tube having a slightly smaller diameter so as to slide inside the adjacent connecting tube, and each tube having
An extendable ice and water spout comprising a cylindrical inlet adapter tube that is about 3-inches long coupling to one or more additional telescoping extendable tubes, each successive tube having a slightly smaller diameter so as to slide inside the adjacent connecting tube, and each tube having an outward extending lip at the top opening and an inward extending lip at the bottom opening to overlap and lock the tubes movably together when fully extended. O-ring sealing means are used between at the interface between sliding tubes to prevent the spilling of ice or water. The extendable spout measures at least 2-feet in length when fully extended to allow large containers such as coolers, water cans, and jugs, all to large to fit into the dispenser, to be filled with ice and water. Additionally, the flexible spout can be bent outward and downward by adjusting the tube sections to allow the inlet adapter tube to fit inside the dispenser cavity and the outlet end of the extendable spout to extend outside the cavity and down into the container. Also, the spout can be collapsed to less than 6-inches for storing.
대표청구항▼
An extendable ice and water spout comprising a cylindrical inlet adapter tube that is about 3-inches long coupling to one or more additional telescoping extendable tubes, each successive tube having a slightly smaller diameter so as to slide inside the adjacent connecting tube, and each tube having
An extendable ice and water spout comprising a cylindrical inlet adapter tube that is about 3-inches long coupling to one or more additional telescoping extendable tubes, each successive tube having a slightly smaller diameter so as to slide inside the adjacent connecting tube, and each tube having an outward extending lip at the top opening and an inward extending lip at the bottom opening to overlap and lock the tubes movably together when fully extended. O-ring sealing means are used between at the interface between sliding tubes to prevent the spilling of ice or water. The extendable spout measures at least 2-feet in length when fully extended to allow large containers such as coolers, water cans, and jugs, all to large to fit into the dispenser, to be filled with ice and water. Additionally, the flexible spout can be bent outward and downward by adjusting the tube sections to allow the inlet adapter tube to fit inside the dispenser cavity and the outlet end of the extendable spout to extend outside the cavity and down into the container. Also, the spout can be collapsed to less than 6-inches for storing. valve suspended in said container upon a corresponding movement of said second lever; and said first lever is rotatably coupled to said rod for selective rotation about said horizontal pivot axis. 4. The refillable water bottle system as in claim 1 wherein: said cap is releasably coupled to said container; said first lever includes a plug fixedly attached to a bottom surface thereof and having a configuration complementary to a configuration of said inlet port for sealing said inlet port when said first lever is at said closed configuration. 5. The refillable water bottle system as in claim 1 further comprising: a cart having a framework adapted to support a bottle of water, said cart having a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to said framework adjacent a lower end thereof; a pump coupled to said framework; a first tube having one end connected to said pump and another end adapted to be connected to said bottle of water; and a second tube having one end connected to said pump and another end adapted to be connected to said inlet port of said cap, whereby water may be conveyed from said bottle of water into said container upon an operation of said pump. 6. The refillable water bottle system as in claim 5 wherein said framework includes a base portion and a handle, said handle extending upwardly from said base portion at about a 45° angle. 7. The refillable water bottle system as in claim 5 wherein said base portion of said framework includes: a pair of generally upstanding support braces and a support plate connected to said pair of support braces in a generally perpendicular relationship; and a pair of guide bars extending radially along said support plate for stabilizing said bottle of water when supported upon said support plate. 8. The refillable water bottle system as in claim 5 wherein said cart further includes means pivotally connected to said framework for releasably retaining a neck of said bottle of water. 9. The refillable water bottle system as in claim 5 wherein said cart includes a support leg pivotally coupled to said framework, said support leg being movable between a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration for supporting said cart in a rearwardly tipped configuration. 10. A refillable water dispensing system for use in combination with a bottled water dispenser of a type having a reservoir and defining an opening adapted to receive an inverted bottle of water for filling said reservoir for valved dispensing of the bottled water therefrom, said refillable water dispensing system comprising: a container having opposed top and bottom walls with a continuous side wall extending therebetween, said top wall defining an aperture, said bottom wall forming a neck adapted to be received by the bottled water dispenser opening such that said container may be received thereby, said neck defining an outlet aperture; a cap releasably coupled to said top wall of said container for covering said aperture, said cap defining an inlet port through which water may be conveyed into said container; a first lever pivotally coupled to said cap and pivotally movable between a closed configuration covering said inlet aperture and an open configuration displaced from said inlet aperture; a second lever pivotally coupled to said cap and pivotally movable between unsealed and sealed configurations; a ball valve connected to said second lever with a cord and suspended thereby in said container, said ball valve being spaced from said outlet aperture when said second lever is at said unsealed configuration and covering said outlet aperture when said second lever is at said sealed configuration; wherein water in said container is allowed to flow downstream through said outlet aperture and into the reservoir of the bottled water dispenser when said second lever is at said unsealed configuration unless a level of water received in said reservoir covers said outlet aperture and said first lever is at said closed configuration. 11. The refillable water dispensing system as in claim 10 wherein: said cap includes a chamber in communication with said top wall aperture when said cap is coupled to said top wall; said second lever includes a rod at one end thereof, said rod being rotatably coupled to said cap and defining a horizontal pivot axis, said rod including one end extending into said chamber; said second lever includes a flange fixedly attached to said one end of said rod, said cord being connected to said flange for raising or lowering said ball valve upon a corresponding movement of said second lever; and said first lever is rotatably coupled to said rod for selective rotation about said horizontal pivot axis. 12. The refillable water dispensing system as in claim 11 wherein said second lever includes a length greater than a length of said first lever such said second lever covers said first lever when said first and second levers are at said closed and unsealed configurations, respectively, whereby said first lever may not be not be moved from said closed configuration so long as said second lever is at said unsealed configuration. 13. The refillable water dispensing system as in claim 10 wherein said container includes a cube-shaped configuration. 14. The refillable water dispensing system as in claim 10 wherein: said ball valve includes a density greater than a density of the water in said container; and said first lever includes a plug fixedly attached to a bottom surface thereof and having a configuration complementary to a configuration of said inlet port for sealing said inlet port when said first lever is at said closed configuration. 15. The refillable water dispensing system as in claim 10 further comprising: a pump; a first tube having one end connected to said pump and another end adapted to be connected to a bottle of water, whereby to draw water therefrom; a second tube having one end connected to said pump and another end adapted to be connected to said inlet port of said cap, whereby to convey the water drawn from said bottle of water into said container. 16. The refillable water dispensing system as in claim 15 further comprising: a cart having a base portion adapted to support a bottle of water and a handle extending upwardly from said base portion, said cart having a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to said base portion; wherein said base portion includes a pair of generally upstanding support braces and a support plate connected to said pair of support braces in a generally perpendicular configuration; and wherein said base portion includes a pair of guide bars extending radially along said support plate for stabilizing said bottle of water when supported upon said support plate. 17. The refillable water dispensing system as in claim 15 wherein said cart includes a support leg pivotally coupled to said base portion, said support leg being movable between a collapsed configuration for storage and an extended configuration for supporting said cart in a rearwardly tipped configuration. 18. The refillable water dispensing system as in claim 15 wherein said pump is coupled to said handle of said cart. 19. The refillable water dispensing system as in claim 15 further comprising means electrically connected to said pump for automatically ceasing operation thereof when said container is substantially refilled. 20. A refillable water bottle system for use with a bottled water dispenser of a type having a reservoir and defining an opening adapted to receive an inverted bottle of water for filling said reservoir for valved dispensing of the bottled water therefrom, said refillable water dispensing system comprising: a container having opposed top and bottom walls with a continuous side wall extending therebetween, said top wall defining an aperture, said bottom wall forming a neck adapted to be received by the bottled water dispenser opening such that said container may be recei
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (1)
Poirier Michel (1300 Beauregard Street Longueuil CAX J4K 4Z2), Pouring spout.
Voglewede, Ronald L.; Gilboe, Kevin J.; Boarman, Patrick J.; Harmon, Daryl L.; Wilson, Sr., Gary W.; Visin, Jerry M., Water dispenser for refrigerator freezers.
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