Water cooler drip tray drainage apparatus
First Claim
1. A water cooler comprising:
- (a) a housing;
(b) a water source;
(c) at least one spigot in said housing fed by said water source;
(d) a drip tray in said housing below said at least one spigot, said drip tray including a receptacle having a floor, walls, open top, and a drain hole in said floor;
(e) a pump having an inlet and outlet, said inlet operatively connected to said drain hole by an inlet hose and said outlet operatively connected to a drain by an outlet hose;
(f) a pressure relief vent in said inlet hose; and
(g) a control circuit with a sensor for activating said pump when liquid is present in said inlet hose.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A water cooler with a drip tray in which liquid in the drip tray drains through a drain hole connected to a pump. When liquid is detected, the pump activates to pump the liquid to a remote drain. An optional filter between the drip tray and the pump traps overly-large particles. Optionally, the drip tray is covered by a removable strainer. A vent in the hose between the drip tray and pump includes a pressure relief vent. Optionally, an access point between the drip tray and vent provide drainage for another source of liquid. The pump is activated by a sensor that detects the presence of liquid in the inlet hose and remains on for a period after liquid is no longer detected so that the liquid is pumped the full distance to the drain.
12 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A water cooler comprising:
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(a) a housing;
(b) a water source;
(c) at least one spigot in said housing fed by said water source;
(d) a drip tray in said housing below said at least one spigot, said drip tray including a receptacle having a floor, walls, open top, and a drain hole in said floor;
(e) a pump having an inlet and outlet, said inlet operatively connected to said drain hole by an inlet hose and said outlet operatively connected to a drain by an outlet hose;
(f) a pressure relief vent in said inlet hose; and
(g) a control circuit with a sensor for activating said pump when liquid is present in said inlet hose. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A water cooler comprising:
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(a) a housing;
(b) a water source;
(c) at least one spigot in said housing fed by said water source;
(d) a drip tray in said housing below said at least one spigot, said drip tray including a receptacle having a floor, walls, open top, and a drain hole in said floor;
(e) a pump having an inlet and outlet, said inlet operatively connected to said drain hole by an inlet hose and said outlet operatively connected to a drain by an outlet hose, said pump being a peristaltic pump or a diaphragm pump;
(f) a pressure relief vent in said inlet hose;
(g) an in-line filter in said inlet hose to prevent passage of particles of a predetermined and larger size into said pump; and
(h) a control circuit with a sensor for activating said pump when liquid is present in said inlet hose. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A water cooler comprising:
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(a) a housing;
(b) a water source;
(c) at least one spigot in said housing fed by said water source;
(d) a drip tray in said housing below said at least one spigot, said drip tray including a receptacle having a floor, walls, open top, and a drain hole in said floor, said drain hole being comprised of a plurality of small holes, said small holes being sized to prevent passage of particles of a predetermined and larger size through said drain hole;
(e) a pump having an inlet and outlet, said inlet operatively connected to said drain hole by an inlet hose and said outlet operatively connected to a drain by an outlet hose, said pump being a peristaltic pump or a diaphragm pump;
(f) a pressure relief vent in said inlet hose; and
(g) a control circuit with a sensor for activating said pump when liquid is present in said inlet hose. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification