초록 ▼

An automatic valve assembly for a water cooler having a reservoir of the type that has its upper end generally sealed to the atmosphere by a water bottle adapter that receives and supports an inverted water bottle. The valve assembly includes a ventilation passageway providing for air to enter the r

An automatic valve assembly for a water cooler having a reservoir of the type that has its upper end generally sealed to the atmosphere by a water bottle adapter that receives and supports an inverted water bottle. The valve assembly includes a ventilation passageway providing for air to enter the reservoir, and an actuator arm hingedly mounted within the interior of the water cooler. The actuator arm is operable to move between an open and a closed position in response to changing water levels within the reservoir. When in its open position the actuator arm allows the unrestricted passage of air into the reservoir through the ventilation passageway. When in its closed position the actuator arm restricts the flow of air and fluids through the ventilation passageway.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A water cooler having a reservoir for receiving water from an inverted water bottle, said water cooler comprising: (a) a ventilation passageway for air to enter said reservoir; and, (b) an automatic valve assembly including a float, said float having an opening extending therethrough,

We claim: 1. A water cooler having a reservoir for receiving water from an inverted water bottle, said water cooler comprising: (a) a ventilation passageway for air to enter said reservoir; and, (b) an automatic valve assembly including a float, said float having an opening extending therethrough, said float being mounted within an interior of said water cooler and operable to move between an open and a closed position in response to changing water levels within said reservoir, when in said open position said float allowing the unrestricted passage of air into said reservoir through said ventilation passageway and when in said closed position said float restricting the flow of air and fluids through said ventilation passageway, said automatic valve assembly further including a sealing element disposed in said reservoir and moveable in response to movement of said float, when said float is in said open position said sealing element permitting air to flow through said ventilation passageway into said reservoir and when said float is in said closed position said sealing element preventing the passage of air through said ventilation passageway, said sealing element being comprised of a resilient compressible material that is driven into contact with said ventilation passageway upon movement of said float with a rise in the water level within said reservoir beyond a predetermined level such that a further rise in the water level within said reservoir causes said sealing element to be compressed about said ventilation passageway to restrict the passage of air therethrough. 2. A water cooler as set forth in claim 1, further including: (a) a probe for engaging an inverted water bottle, said probe being configured such that water from the water bottle passes through said probe into said reservoir; and, (b) said float surrounds said probe. 3. A water cooler as set forth in claim 2, further including: (a) an adapter for sealing said reservoir, said adapter having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion being disposed inwardly of said upper portion, said lower portion of said adapter is received in said opening of said float. 4. A water cooler as set forth in claim 1, further including: (a) an adapter for sealing said reservoir, said adapter having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion being disposed inwardly of said upper portion; and, (b) said float surrounding said lower portion of said adapter. 5. A water cooler as set forth in claim 3, wherein: (a) said adapter includes a circumferential lip; and, (b) said float being disposed inwardly of an outermost surface of said circumferential lip. 6. A water cooler as set forth in claim 1, wherein; (a) said sealing element is supported by said float. 7. A water cooler as set froth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said float includes an upper surface, said sealing element abuts said upper surface of said float. 8. A water cooler as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said float is generally circular. 9. A water cooler as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said float is hingedly mounted. 10. A water cooler having a reservoir for receiving water from an inverted water bottle, said water cooler comprising: (a) a ventilation passageway for air to enter said reservoir; and, (b) an automatic valve assembly including a float, said float having an opening extending therethrough, said float being mounted within an interior of said water cooler and operable to move between an open and a closed position in response to changing water levels within said reservoir, when in said open position said float allowing the unrestricted passage of air into said reservoir through said ventilation passageway and when in said closed position said float restricting the flow of air and fluids through said ventilation passageway, said automatic valve assembly further including a sealing element disposed in said reservoir and moveable in response to movement of said float, when said float is in said open position said sealing element permitting air to flow through said ventilation passageway into said reservoir and when said float is in said closed position said sealing element preventing the passage of air through said ventilation passageway, said sealing element being comprised of a resilient compressible material that is driven into contact with said ventilation passageway upon movement of said float with a rise in the water level within said reservoir beyond a predetermined level such that a further rise in the water level within said reservoir causes said sealing element to be compressed about said ventilation passageway to restrict the passage of air therethrough; and, (c) an adapter for sealing said reservoir, said adapter having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion being disposed inwardly of said upper portion, said lower portion of said adapter is received in said opening of said float. 11. A water cooler as set forth in claim 10, further including: (a) a probe for engaging an inverted water bottle, said probe being configured such that water from the water bottle passes through said probe into said reservoir; and, (b) said float surrounds said probe. 12. A water cooler as set forth in claim 11, wherein: (a) said probe extends into said lower portion of said adapter. 13. A water cooler as set forth in claim 12, wherein: (a) said float extends across said probe. 14. A water cooler as set forth in claim 10, wherein: (a) said adapter includes a circumferential lip; and, (b) said float is disposed inwardly of an outermost surface of said circumferential lip. 15. A water cooler as set forth in claim 14, wherein: (a) said float extends across said lower portion of said adapter. 16. A water cooler as set forth in claim 10, wherein; (a) said sealing element is supported by said float. 17. A water cooler as set forth in claim 10, wherein: (a) said float is hingedly mounted. 18. A water cooler having a reservoir for receiving water from an inverted water bottle, said water cooler comprising: (a) a ventilation passageway for air to enter said reservoir; and, (b) an automatic valve assembly including a float, said float being mounted within an interior of said water cooler and operable to move between an open and a closed position in response to changing water levels within said reservoir, when in said open position said float allowing the unrestricted passage of air into said reservoir through said ventilation passageway and when in said closed position said float restricting the flow of air and fluids through said ventilation passageway, said automatic valve assembly further including a sealing element disposed in said reservoir and moveable in response to movement of said float, when said float is in said open position said sealing element permitting air to flow through said ventilation passageway into said reservoir and when said float is in said closed position said sealing element preventing the passage of air through said ventilation passageway, said sealing element being comprised of a resilient compressible material that is driven into contact with said ventilation passageway upon movement of said float with a rise in the water level within said reservoir beyond a predetermined level such that a further rise in the water level within said reservoir causes said sealing element to be compressed about said ventilation passageway to restrict the passage of air therethrough; (c) an adapter for sealing said reservoir, said adapter having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion being disposed inwardly of said upper portion; and, (d) a probe for engaging an inverted water bottle, said probe being configured such that water from the water bottle passes through said probe into said reservoir, said probe extending into said lower portion of said adapter; and, (e) said float extending across said lower portion of said adapter, said float surrounds said probe and said lower portion of said adapter. 19. A water cooler as set forth in claim 18, wherein: (a) said adapter includes a circumferential lip; and, (b) said float is disposed inwardly of an outermost surface of said circumferential lip. 20. A water cooler as set forth in claim 18, wherein: (a) said float is hingedly mounted. 21. A water cooler having a reservoir for receiving water from an inverted water bottle, said water cooler comprising: (a) an opening for air to enter said reservoir; and, (b) an automatic valve assembly including a float, said float having an opening extending therethrough, said float being mounted within an interior of said water cooler and operable to move between an open and a closed position in response to changing water levels within said reservoir, when in said open position said float allowing the passage of air into said reservoir through said opening and when in said closed position said float restricting the flow of air and fluids through said opening, said automatic valve assembly further including a sealing element moveable in response to movement of said float, when said float is in said open position said sealing element permitting air to flow through said opening into said reservoir and when said float is in said closed position said sealing element preventing the passage of air through said opening; and, (c) an adapter for sealing said reservoir, said adapter having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion being disposed inwardly of said upper portion, said lower portion of said adapter is received in said opening of said float. 22. A water cooler as set forth in claim 21, further including: (a) a probe for engaging an inverted water bottle, said probe being configured such that water from the water bottle passes through said probe into said reservoir; and, (b) said float surrounds said probe. 23. A water cooler as set forth in claim 22, wherein: (a) said probe extends into said lower portion of said adapter. 24. A water cooler as set forth in claim 21, wherein: (a) said sealing element is comprised of a resilient compressible material. 25. A water cooler as set forth in claim 21, wherein: (a) said float is hingedly mounted.