초록 ▼

The present disclosure relates to a water purification system for use in a water dispensing apparatus. The water purification system comprises an adapter adapted to mount to a top opening of the dispensing unit of the water dispensing apparatus, the adapter including a dispensing unit locking mechan

The present disclosure relates to a water purification system for use in a water dispensing apparatus. The water purification system comprises an adapter adapted to mount to a top opening of the dispensing unit of the water dispensing apparatus, the adapter including a dispensing unit locking mechanism that is adapted to secure the adapter to the dispensing unit, and a filter connected to the adapter, the filter being adapted to filter impurities from the water that passes through the adapter from the container.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A water purification system for use in a water dispensing apparatus including a water container and a dispensing unit, comprising: an adapter adapted to mount to a top opening of the dispensing unit, the adapter including a dispensing unit locking mechanism that is adapted to

What is claimed is: 1. A water purification system for use in a water dispensing apparatus including a water container and a dispensing unit, comprising: an adapter adapted to mount to a top opening of the dispensing unit, the adapter including a dispensing unit locking mechanism that is adapted to secure the adapter to the dispensing unit, and a probe that is adapted to extend into the water container when the container is placed atop the adapter; a filter connected to the adapter, the filter being adapted to filter impurities from the water that passes through the adapter from the container; and wherein the filter has a plurality of perforations at its top and bottom ends, the perforations at the top end forming serpentine paths for water to pass through. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter is substantially funnel-shaped and is adapted to mount within the top opening of the dispensing unit. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing unit locking mechanism comprises at least one locking tab adapted to clamp about the top opening of the dispensing unit. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises a base and wherein the probe extends upwardly from the base. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the probe defines an interior space that is divided into separate chambers by an internal dividing wall. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the chambers are each in fluid communication with an opening at a base of the probe and an opening at a top of the probe. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the openings at the top of the probe are slots that extend along a longitudinal direction of the probe. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter further comprises a filter locking mechanism that facilitates connection of the filter to the adapter. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the filter locking mechanism comprises a plurality of locking tabs. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the filter comprises a locking mechanism that is configured to mate with the filter locking mechanism of the adapter such that the filter is releasably attachable to the adapter. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism of the filter comprises a flange and a plurality of slots that are provided in the flange. 12. A water dispensing apparatus, comprising: a water container adapted to hold a quantity of water; a dispensing unit having a top opening; an adapter that mounts within the top opening of the dispensing unit and supports the water container within the top opening, the adapter including a dispensing unit locking mechanism that secures the adapter to the dispensing unit, the dispensing unit locking mechanism including at least one locking tab that clamps about the top opening of the dispensing unit; a filter connected to the adapter, the filter being adapted to filter impurities from the water that passes through the adapter from the container; wherein the adapter comprises a base and a probe that extends upwardly from the base; and wherein the probe defines an interior space that is divided into separate chambers by an internal dividing wall. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the adapter is substantially funnel-shaped and is adapted to mount within the top opening of the dispensing unit. 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the adapter further comprises a probe that is extends into the water container when the container is placed atop the adapter. 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the chambers are each in fluid communication with an opening at a base of the probe and an opening at a top of the probe. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the openings at the top of the probe are slots that extend along a longitudinal direction of the probe. 17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the adapter further comprises a filter locking mechanism that facilitates connection of the filter to the adapter. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the filter locking mechanism comprises a plurality of locking tabs. 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the filter comprises a locking mechanism that is configured to mate with the filter locking mechanism of the adapter such that the filter is releasably attachable to the adapter. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the locking mechanism of the filter comprises a flange and a plurality of slots that are provided in the flange. 21. A water dispensing apparatus, comprising: a water container adapted to hold a quantity of water; a dispensing unit having a top opening; an adapter that mounts within the top opening of the dispensing unit and supports the water container within the top opening, the adapter including a dispensing unit locking mechanism that secures the adapter to the dispensing unit, the dispensing unit locking mechanism including at least one locking tab that clamps about the top opening of the dispensing unit; a filter connected to the adapter, the filter being adapted to filter impurities from the water that passes through the adapter from the container; and wherein the filter has a plurality of perforations at its top and bottom ends, the perforations at the top end forming serpentine paths for water to pass through. 22. A water purification system for use in a water dispensing apparatus including a water container and a dispensing unit, comprising: an adapter adapted to mount to a top opening of the dispensing unit, the adapter including a dispensing unit locking mechanism that is adapted to secure the adapter to the dispensing unit, the dispensing unit locking mechanism including at least one locking tab adapted to clamp about the top opening of the dispensing unit; a filter connected to the adapter, the filter being adapted to filter impurities from the water that passes through the adapter from the container; and wherein the filter has a plurality of perforations at its top and bottom ends, the perforations at the top end forming serpentine paths for water to pass through. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the adapter is substantially funnel-shaped and is adapted to mount within the top opening of the dispensing unit. 24. The system of claim 22, wherein the adapter further comprises a base and a probe extending upwardly from the base. 25. The system of claim 22, wherein the adapter comprises a filter locking mechanism that facilitates connection of the filter to the adapter. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the filter locking mechanism comprises a plurality of locking tabs. 27. The system of claim 25, wherein the filter comprises a locking mechanism that is configured to mate with the filter locking mechanism of the adapter such that the filter is releasably attachable to the adapter. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the locking mechanism of the filter comprises a flange and a plurality of slots that are provided in the flange. 29. A water purification system for use in a water dispensing apparatus including a water container and a dispensing unit, comprising: an adapter adapted to mount to a top opening of the dispensing unit, the adapter including a dispensing unit locking mechanism that is adapted to secure the adapter to the dispensing unit, the dispensing unit locking mechanism including at least one locking tab adapted to clamp about the top opening of the dispensing unit; a filter connected to the adapter, the filter being adapted to filter impurities from the water that passes through the adapter from the container; wherein the adapter further comprises a base and a probe extending upwardly from the base; and wherein the probe defines an interior space that is divided into separate chambers by an internal dividing wall. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the chambers are each in fluid communication with an opening at a base of the probe and an opening at a top of the probe. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the openings at the top of the probe are slots that extend along a longitudinal direction of the probe. 32. A water purification system for use in a water dispensing apparatus including a water container and a dispensing unit, comprising: an adapter adapted to mount to a top opening of the dispensing unit, the adapter including a dispensing unit locking mechanism that is adapted to secure the adapter to the dispensing unit, a filter locking mechanism that facilitates connection of a filter to the adapter, and a locking mechanism that is configured to mate with the filter locking mechanism such that the filter is releasably attachable to the adapter; a filter connected to the adapter, the filter being adapted to filter impurities from the water that passes through the adapter from the container; and wherein the filter has a plurality of perforations at its top and bottom ends, the perforations at the top end forming serpentine paths for water to pass through. 33. The system of claim 32, wherein the adapter is substantially funnel-shaped and is adapted to mount within the top opening of the dispensing unit. 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the adapter further comprises a base and a probe extending upwardly from the base. 35. The system of claim 34, wherein the probe defines an interior space that is divided into separate chambers by an internal dividing wall. 36. The system of claim 35, wherein the chambers are each in fluid communication with an opening at a base of the probe and an opening at a top of the probe. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the openings at the top of the probe are slots that extend along a longitudinal direction of the probe. 38. The system of claim 32, wherein the adapter comprises a filter locking mechanism comprising a plurality of locking tabs. 39. The system of claim 32, wherein the filter comprises a locking mechanism that comprises a flange and a plurality of slots that are provided in the flange. 40. A water purification system for use in a water dispensing apparatus including a water container and a dispensing unit, comprising: an adapter adapted to mount to a top opening of the dispensing unit, the adapter including a dispensing unit locking mechanism that is adapted to secure the adapter to the dispensing unit; and a filter connected to the adapter, the filter being adapted to filter impurities from the water that passes through the adapter from the container, the filer including a plurality of perforations at its top and bottom ends, the perforations at the top end forming serpentine paths for water to pass through. 41. The system of claim 40, wherein the adapter is substantially funnel-shaped and is adapted to mount within the top opening of the dispensing unit. 42. The system of claim 40, wherein the adapter comprises a base and a probe extending upwardly from the base. 43. The system of claim 42, wherein the probe defines an interior space that is divided into separate chambers by an internal dividing wall. 44. The system of claim 43, wherein the chambers are each in fluid communication with an opening at a base of the probe and an opening at a top of the probe. 45. The system of claim 44, wherein the openings at the top of the probe are slots that extend along a longitudinal direction of the probe. 46. The system of claim 40, wherein the adapter comprises a filter locking mechanism comprising a plurality of locking tabs. 47. The system of claim 40, wherein the filter comprises a locking mechanism that comprises a flange and a plurality of slots that are provided in the flange. 48. A water purification system for use in a water dispensing apparatus including a water container and a dispensing unit, comprising: an adapter adapted to mount to a top opening of the dispensing unit, the adapter including a dispensing unit locking mechanism that is adapted to secure the adapter to the dispensing unit and a probe that extends into the water container when the container is placed atop the adapter; a filter connected to the adapter, the filter being adapted to filter impurities from the water that passes through the adapter from the container; and wherein the filter has a plurality of perforations at its top and bottom ends, the perforations at the top end forming serpentine paths for water to pass through. 49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the adapter is substantially funnel-shaped and is adapted to mount within the top opening of the dispensing unit. 50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the adapter further comprises a base and wherein the probe extends upwardly from the base. 51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the probe defines an interior space that is divided into separate chambers by an internal dividing wall. 52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the chambers are each in fluid communication with an opening at a base of the probe and an opening at a top of the probe. 53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the openings at the top of the probe are slots that extend along a longitudinal direction of the probe. 54. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the adapter comprises a filter locking mechanism that facilitates connection of the filter to the adapter. 55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the filter locking mechanism comprises a plurality of locking tabs. 56. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the filter comprises a locking mechanism that is configured to mate with the filter locking mechanism of the adapter such that the filter is releasably attachable to the adapter. 57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the locking mechanism of the filter comprises a flange and a plurality of slots that are provided in the flange. 58. A water dispensing apparatus, comprising: a water container adapted to hold a quantity of water; a dispensing unit having a top opening; an adapter that mounts within the top opening of the dispensing unit and supports the water container within the top opening, the adapter including a dispensing unit locking mechanism that secures the adapter to the dispensing unit; and a filter connected to the adapter, the filter being adapted to filter impurities from the water that passes through the adapter from the container, wherein the filter has a plurality of perforations at its top and bottom ends, the perforations at the top end forming serpentine paths for water to pass through. 59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the adapter is substantially funnel-shaped and is adapted to mount within the top opening of the dispensing unit. 60. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the adapter further comprises a base and a probe extending upwardly from the base. 61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the probe defines an interior space that is divided into separate chambers by an internal dividing wall. 62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the chambers are each in fluid communication with an opening at a base of the probe and an opening at a top of the probe. 63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the openings at the top of the probe are slots that extend along a longitudinal direction of the probe. 64. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the filter further comprises a locking mechanism comprising flange and a plurality of slots that are provided in the flange.