Water Dispensing Apparatus with Activation and/or Deactivation Means

• US 20120234409A1
• Filed: 06/07/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Klicpera
• Original Assignee: Michael Klicpera
• Inventors: Klicpera, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,893,320 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/551
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/18 Roses; Shower heads with means for adding soap or the like E03C1/046; jet regulators E03C1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/004 comprising sensors for monitoring the delivery, e.g. by displaying the sensed value or generating an alarm B05B12/08 takes precedence; registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus in general G07C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/008 integrated in or attached to a discharge apparatus, e.g. a spray gun
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/02 for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/04 Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/0418 having temperature indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/024 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/075 using electrically-operated integrating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/0755 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/02 for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/026 of moving liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/00 Application of thermometers in household appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means

Abstract

The present invention is a display apparatus for affixation to a shower or bath water supply piping or incorporated within a shower, or bath or faucet head that has an authorization means for activating water flow. In a second embodiment, the present invention comprises a dispensing apparatus that has authorization means for activating and/or deactivating water flow. The display and dispensing apparatuses include a power generation, a microprocessor, water flow sensors, timing circuits and a display means and optional wireless communication technology and optional temperature sensors. The display means can be an analog or digital display or combination of display means. The authorization means can comprise a key pad located as soft keys on the display apparatus, a remote key pad, an identification or electronic card means, a bar code or RFTD means, or a biometric means.

Claims

1. A water parameter display assembly located in close proximity to or incorporated within a shower, bath or faucet head, comprising:

a shower, bath or faucet head;

a housing that contains first display means, said first display means having the capability to visually display one or more water parameters, said housing also contains electrical circuitry, a microprocessor and power supply;

at least one water flow sensor that is said water flow sensor in close proximity to said water supply, and said sensor in electrical communication and with said microprocessor;

one or more electronic assessment control devices;

said microprocessor having software instructions, where said software instructions are designed to measure water flow and water use over time, said software instructions also are designed to verify authorization and activate and/or deactivate the water flow; and

a first water control means.

2. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the authorization comprises a key pad apparatus is located on the apparatus or is located in a soft button format on the display.

3. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said key pad apparatus is designed to authorize activation of water flow from said dispensing apparatus upon the proper entry of a key stroke code.

4. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the authorization comprises an identification or electronic card that encodes unique authorization data.

5. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said identification or electronic card has the capability to record, store and/or perform calculations regarding said water use.

6. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the authorization comprises a biometric technique.

7. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the authorization and the one or more electronic assessment control devices utilize bar code or radio frequency identification (RFID).

8. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more electronic assessment control devices are located remotely from the dispensing apparatus and communicates with the electrical circuitry and microprocessor wirelessly or by hard wired technology.

9. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein water use and timing data are transfer wirelessly or hard wired to a remote device or computer that records the water use and timing data.

10. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second water control means that communicates wirelessly or with wired technology and is located at the main water supply line.

11. A water dispensing apparatus for attaching to the water supply line, comprising:

a housing which contains electrical circuitry, a microprocessor and power supply;

at least one water flow sensor that is said water flow sensor in close proximity to said water supply, and said sensor in electrical communication and with said microprocessor;

one or more electronic assessment control devices;

said microprocessor having software instructions, where said software instructions are designed to measure water flow and water use over time, said software instructions also are designed to verify authorization and activate and/or deactivate the water flow; and

a first water control means.

12. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the authorization comprises a key pad apparatus is located on the apparatus or is located in a soft button format on the display.

13. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said key pad apparatus is designed to authorize activation of water flow from said dispensing apparatus upon the proper entry of a key stoke code.

14. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the authorization comprises an identification or electronic card that encodes unique authorization data.

15. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said identification or electronic card has the capability to record, store and/or perform calculations regarding said water use.

16. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the authorization comprises a biometric technique.

17. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the authorization and the one or more electronic assessment control devices utilize bar code or radio frequency identification (RFID).

18. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the one or more electronic assessment control devices are located remotely from the dispensing apparatus and communicates with the electrical circuitry and microprocessor wirelessly or by hard wired technology.

19. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein water use and timing data are transfer wirelessly or hard wired to a remote device or computer that records the water use and timing data.

20. The water dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising a second water control means that communicates wirelessly or with wired technology and is located at the main water supply line.