METHOD OF CONVERTING AN INVERTED BOTTLE WATER DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH AN AUTOMATIC BOTTLE REFILL SYSTEM

METHODE DE CONVERSION D'UN SYSTEME DE DISTRIBUTION D'EAU A BOUTEILLE EN POSITION INVERSEE POUR UTILISATION AVEC UN SYSTEME AUTOMATIQUE DE REMPLISSAGE DE BOUTEILLES

English Abstract

A method of converting an inverted bottle water dispensing system for use with an automatic bottle refill mechanism. The inverted bottle water dispensing system to which the method relates an open topped cooling reservoir with a mounting adaptor for receiving an inverted bottle water disposed on top of the reservoir. The automatic bottle refill mechanism to which the method relates has a conduit connected to the inverted water bottle and connected to a float valve positioned within the inverted water bottle. The conduit is connected to a pressurized water service so that a continuous replenishing supply of water is supplied as permitted by the float valve. The method includes the step of permanently securing across the open top of the cooling reservoir a rigid closure cap to which a bottom of the mounting adaptor has been permanently secured. The rigid closure cap has a single access opening in liquid communication with the bottom of the mounting adaptor. The method, as described, is intended to reduce or eliminate the possibility of catastrophic leakage in an inverted bottle water dispensing system connected to an automatic bottle refill mechanism.

French Abstract

Méthode pour convertir un système de distribution d'eau à bouteille en position renversée afin de l'utiliser avec un mécanisme de remplissage automatique de bouteilles. Le système de distribution d'eau à bouteille renversée concerné par la méthode comprend un réservoir de refroidissement ouvert sur le haut et équipé d'un raccord permettant d'installer une bouteille d'eau renversée sur le haut du réservoir. Le mécanisme de remplissage automatique de bouteilles concerné par la méthode est composé d'une conduite raccordée à la bouteille d'eau renversée et à un robinet à flotteur placé dans la bouteille d'eau renversée. La conduite est raccordée à une réserve d'eau sous pression de sorte qu'un remplissage continu en eau est fourni grâce au robinet à flotteur. La méthode comprend une étape qui consiste à fixer en permanence sur l'ouverture du réservoir de refroidissement un bouchon d'obturation rigide auquel un bord inférieur du raccord est fixé en permanence. Le bouchon d'obturation rigide comprend une seule ouverture, en contact avec le bas du raccord, pour laisser passer le liquide. La méthode décrite a pour but de réduire ou d'éliminer le risque de fuite dans le système de distribution d'eau à bouteille renversée qui est raccordé à un mécanisme de remplissage automatique des bouteilles.

Claims

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THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method of converting an inverted bottle water dispensing
system for use with an automatic bottle refill mechanism, the
inverted bottle water dispensing system having an open topped
cooling reservoir with a mounting adaptor for receiving an
inverted bottle water disposed on top of the reservoir, the
automatic bottle refill mechanism having a conduit connected
to the inverted water bottle and connected to a float valve
positioned within the inverted water bottle, the conduit being
connected to a pressurized water service, the method comprising
the steps of:
permanently securing across the open top of the cooling
reservoir a rigid closure cap to which a bottom of the mounting
adaptor has been permanently secured, the rigid closure cap
having a single access opening in liquid communication with the
bottom of the mounting adaptor.
2. The method as defined in Claim 1, having the rigid closure
cap being glued by an adhesive to the cooling reservoir.
3. The method as defined in Claim 1, having a neck of an
inverted bottle glued by an adhesive to the mounting adaptor.
4. The method as defined in Claim 1, including a further step
of disabling the float valve of the automatic bottle refill
mechanism and subjecting the inverted water bottle system to
direct pressure from a building water service, thereby
simulating a condition of float valve failure.

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5. A method of converting an inverted bottle water dispensing
system having an open topped cooling reservoir, a funnel shaped
mounting adaptor for receiving an inverted bottle water
dispenser disposed on top of the reservoir, a removable sealing
diaphragm positioned within the reservoir immediately below the
funnel shaped mounting adaptor, and an air conduit extending
from the mounting adaptor through the removable sealing
diaphragm and into the reservoir; for use with an automatic
bottle refill mechanism in which a conduit is connected to the
inverted water bottle and connected to a float valve positioned
within the inverted water bottle, the conduit being connected
to a pressurized water service, the method comprising the steps
of:
removing from within the reservoir the removable sealing
diaphragm and the air conduit;
permanently securing with adhesive across the open top of
the cooling reservoir a rigid closure cap having an integrally
formed mounting adaptor, the rigid closure cap having a single
access opening extending through the mounting adaptor; and
permanently securing with adhesive a neck of an inverted
water bottle to the mounting adaptor, such that liquid in the
inverted water bottle passes through the access opening in the
rigid closure cap into the cooling reservoir.
6. The method as defined in Claim 5, including a further step
of disabling the float valve of the automatic bottle refill
mechanism and subjecting the inverted water bottle system to
direct pressure from a building water service, thereby
simulating a condition of float valve failure to test for
leakage.

Description

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i 1
TITLE OF TAE INVENTION:
Method of converting an inverted bottle water dispensing
system for use with an automatic bottle refill system.
NAME(&1 OF INVENTOR(S~:
Nowell Hinch
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of converting
an inverted bottle water dispensing system for use with an
automatic bottle refill system connected to a pressurized water
service.
BACKGROUND OF TBE INVENTION
Inverted bottle water dispensing systems utilize an
inverted water bottle to feed water into a water dispensing
reservoir. They are commonly used in business and government
offices. The popularity of inverted bottle water dispensing
systems is diminishing as users become familiar with some of
the disadvantages associated with such water dispensing
systems. The large bottles full of water are heavy to lift
onto the water dispensing reservoir. Valuable storage space
is taken up by a plurality of bottles; some of which are full
and awaiting use and others of which are empty and awaiting
pickup. Water quality is at times compromised by such factors
as the length of storage prior to use and the temperature of
the storage space in which they are stored.
Some dissatisfied users of inverted bottle water
dispensing systems are converting their water dispensing

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equipment to automatic bottle refill systems that are connected
to their buildings water service. An example of such an
automatic bottle refill system is disclosed in United States
Patent 4, 881, 661 which issued to Jones in 1989. The Jones
reference teaches the mounting of a float valve mechanism
inside of the water bottle. As the water level in the water
bottle falls, the valve member is moved away from the valve
seat at the water inlet and water can enter the water bottle.
As the water level increases due to water flowing through the
water inlet, the float rises moving the valve member back into
engagement with the valve seat to shut off the flow.
Automatic bottle refill systems directly address the
disadvantages of inverted bottled water systems. There is no
need to have more than one bottle, no need to ever remove the
bottle and, therefore, no need to store a plurality of bottles.
The inconvenience of continually replacing the bottles is
totally avoided. However, automatic bottle refill systems have
their own inherent disadvantages. When an inverted bottle
water dispensing systems leaks, the worst that can happen is
that the contents of the bottle leak onto the floor of the
office building. When a water dispensing system equipped with
an automatic bottle refill system leaks, the results are
potentially catastrophic as water continuously flows from the
leak until it is discovered. In view of the fact that many
office buildings are largely deserted during the weekend, the
potential for damage is substantial. In addition, inverted
bottle water dispensing systems were never intended to be
connected to a water service of a building. Should the float
valve mechanism fail, most inverted bottle water systems will
leak when subjected to the water pressure provided by the water
service of a building. The Jones reference has attempted to
address this problem by providing a water tight convoluted
flexible seal between the neck of the inverted water bottle and
the main frame stand.
United States Patent 5,121,778, which issued to Elkay

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Manufacturing Company in 1992, represents the state of the art
of one of the more popular inverted bottle water dispensing
system. Thia patent discloses an open topped cooling reservoir -
positioned within a cabinet onto which is placed a funnel
shaped mounting adaptor. The mounting adaptor has an annular
ring on its upper portion in order to properly receive and
support an inverted water bottle. An annular diaphragm element
is coupled to the lower end of the funnel shaped mounting
adaptor. This annular diaphragm element is used to seal the
upper portion of the reservoir. In addition, the diaphragm
element is used to support an upstanding feed tube. This
upstanding feed tube cooperates with a special hygienic cap.
The hygienic cap has a centrally positioned axially extending
sleeve which receives the feed tube. The sleeve terminates in
a repositionable plug. When the feed tube is inserted into the
sleeve in the hygienic cap of the inverted water bottle, the
feed tube engages the plug separates it from the sleeve
enabling water to flow through the feed tube into the
reservoir. A conduit extends from the mounting adaptor through
the diaphragm and into the reservoir, to enable air to enter
the reservoir. As will be apparent from this description there
are a number of connections at which leakage may potentially
occur as the system deteriorates through use. Of greater
concern, however, are the many points through which water may
pass in the event of a failure of the float valve, as water
under pressure flows unimpeded through the water bottle and
into the reservoir.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is a method of converting an inverted
bottle water dispensing system for use with an automatic bottle
refill system connected to a pressurized water service.
According to the present invention there is provided a
method of converting an inverted bottle water dispensing system

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for use with an automatic bottle refill mechanism. The
inverted bottle water dispensing system to which the method
relates an open topped cooling reservoir with a mounting
adaptor for receiving an inverted bottle water disposed on top
of the reservoir. The automatic bottle refill mechanism to
Which the method relates has a conduit connected to the
inverted water bottle and connected to a float valve positioned
within the inverted water bottle. The conduit is connected to
a pressurized water service so that a continuous replenishing
supply of water is supplied as permitted by the float valve.
The method includes the step of permanently securing across the
open top of the cooling reservoir a rigid closure cap to Which
a bottom of the mounting adaptor has been permanently secured.
The rigid closure cap has a single access opening in liquid
communication with the bottom of the mounting adaptor.
The preferred means of permanently securing the rigid
closure cap to the cooling reservoir is by gluing With a
suitable water resistant adhesive. In view of the fact that
there is always a danger of a leak occurring as a result of
someone attempting to remove the inverted bottle, it is also
preferred that a neck of the inverted bottle be glued to the
mounting adaptor.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
teachings of the method, as described above, in that the
inverted bottle dispensing system modified in accordance With
the method is unlikely to leak, there is no absolute certainty
that leakage will not occur. Even more beneficial results may,
therefore, be obtained When a further step is taken of
temporarily disabling the float valve of the automatic bottle
refill mechanism and subjecting the inverted Water bottle
system to direct pressure from a building water service,
thereby simulating a condition of float valve failure.
It is preferred that the internal parts in the reservoir
made redundant by the rigid closure cap be removed prior to the

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rigid closure cap being permanently fastened in place. It is,
of course, not essential that this be done.
5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more
apparent from the following description in which reference is
made to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view in partial section of
an inverted bottle water dispensing system labelled as PRIOR
ART.
FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view, in section, of the
inverted bottle water dispensing system that has been modified
in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view, in section, of a first
alternative embodiment of inverted bottle water dispensing
system that has been modified in accordance with the teachings
of the present invention.
FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view, in section, of a second
alternative embodiment of inverted bottle water dispensing
system that has been modified in accordance with the teachings
of the present invention.
DETAINED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred method of converting an inverted bottle
water dispensing system for use with an automatic bottle refill
mechanism will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1
through 4.
Referring to FIGURE l, a PRIOR ART an inverted bottle
water dispensing system generally indicated by reference
numeral 10 is illustrated. Prior art inverted bottle water
dispensing system 10 has an open topped cooling reservoir I2
disposed in a cabinet 20. A drain pipe extends from reservoir

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12 to a dispensing faucet 13 positioned on a front panel 14 of
cabinet 20. A mounting adaptor 25 is provided that has
downwardly a extending sidewall that slides over cabinet 20.
Mounting adaptor 25 has an annular ring 24 at its upper end 26.
A depending funnel shaped entry portion 27 extends downwardly
terminating at lower end 29 of mounting adaptor 25. Funnel
shaped entry portion 27 of mounting adaptor 25 receives a neck
51 of an inverted water bottle 15 supported on annular ring 24.
An hygienic cap 50 is positioned on neck 51 of inverted water
bottle 15. Mounting adaptor 25 has internal stiffening ribs
28. A removable sealing diaphragm 41 with a peripheral sealing
element 43 is positioned within reservoir 12 immediately below
lower end 29 of mounting adaptor 25. Sealing diaphragm 41
supports upstanding feed tube 45. An air conduit 39 extends
from a housing 38 for a filter element that serves as part of
an air filter assembly 30 on mounting adaptor 25 through a
grommet 47 in removable sealing diaphragm 41 and into reservoir
12.
Referring to FIGURE 2, an automatic bottle refill
mechanism, generally identified by reference numeral 50 is
illustrated. Automatic bottle refill mechanism 50 is of
conventional construction in accordance with the teachings of
U.S. Patent 4,881,661. Automatic bottle refill mechanism 50
includes a conduit 52 having one end 54 connected to inverted
water bottle 15. A remote end 56 of conduit 52 is connected
to a pressurized water service of a building (not shown).
Bottle end 54 of conduit 52 is connected to a float valve 58
positioned within inverted water bottle 15, and the flow
through bottle end 54 of conduit 52 is controlled by float
valve 58. Float valve 58 has a float 60. Float valve 58 is
moved between an open position and a closed position by the
movement of float 60 floating in water within inverted water
bottle 15. Float valve 58 is conventional in construction and
will not be further described.
The method lies in the conversion of PRIOR ART inverted

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bottle water dispensing system 10, as illustrated in FIGURE l,
for use with automatic bottle refill mechanism 50. Referring
to FIGURE 2, the method includes permanently securing across
the open top of the cooling reservoir 12 a rigid closure cap
62 to which bottom 29 of mounting adaptor 25 has been
permanently secured. Rigid closure cap 62 has a single access
opening 64 in liquid communication with bottom 29 of mounting
adaptor 25. In this particular embodiment, a disk-like sealing
element 66 is used to seal between neck 51 of inverted water
bottle 15 and rigid closure cap 62. Feed tube 45 extends
through and is supported by disk-like sealing element 66.
The manner of permanently securing rigid closure cap 62
to reservoir 12 can vary. It is preferred that rigid closure
cap 62 by glued to cooling reservoir 12 by means of a suitable
water resistant adhesive. It is also preferred that neck 51
of inverted water bottle 15 be glued to mounting adaptor 25.
Referring to FIGURES 3 and 4, some alternative embodiments
are illustrated to show that feed tube 45 is non-essential, as
is funnel shaped entry portion 27. It should also be noted
that disk-like sealing element can be replaced with alternative
sealing means. Referring to FIGURE 3, in this first
alternative embodiment the sealing is achieved by external
threads 68 on neck 5I of inverted water bottle 15 than engage
mating internal threads 70 on a cylindrical form of mounting
adaptor 72. Referring to FIGURE 4, in this second alternative
embodiment the sealing is achieved by an annular sealing
surface 74 within cylindrical mounting adaptor 72.
It should be noted that in all of the embodiments
reservoir 12 devoid of any internal components such as
removable sealing diaphragm 41 or air conduit 39. It is
preferred that these redundant components be removed prior to
reservoir 12 being permanently sealed by rigid closure cap 62.
Although it is difficult to illustrate in drawings, it is

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preferred that float valve 58 of -automatic bottle refill
mechanism 50 be temporarily disabled in order to test the
system prior to use. During testing inverted water bottle
system 10, as modified, is subjected to direct pressure from
a building water service. This simulates the most catastrophic
failure which can occur, namely a failure of float valve 58.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
hereinafter defined in the Claims.

Representative Drawing