Bottled liquid dispensers
First Claim
1. A bottled liquid dispenser in which liquid is supplied from a bottle to a discharge outlet via a reservoir, wherein the dispenser includes a reservoir;
- a bottle connector for releasable sealing engagement with the open end of a neck formed on the bottle, and in liquid flow-conducting communication therewith; and
conduit means connected to said bottle connector for conducting liquid from the bottle connector to the reservoir, characterised in that at least the bottle connector, the conduit means and the reservoir are formed of or lined with a material containing silver in a bound form to provide integral surfaces from which silver ions (Ag+) are released into the liquid during contact therewith and at a controlled rate.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Bottled water or other liquid is supplied via a bottle connector 5 for releasable sealing engagement with a neck formed on the bottle, and a transfer tube 6 to a reservoir 7 wherein the water may be cooled. The bottle connector 5, the transfer tube 6 and the reservoir 7 are all moulded of a plastics material containing silver bound in a ceramic ion exchange resin so that the silver ions (Ag+) are slowly released to prevent microbial growth on the surface of the components. The bottle connector may include a feed tube 21 or a dip tube which also releases silver ions. Furthermore, the transfer tube 6 may be connected to the reservoir 7 via a reservoir connector 29 which may incorporate a draw tube 31 and one or more outlet tubes 14, 36, e.g. leading to a discharge outlet, all of which release silver ions.
20 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A bottled liquid dispenser in which liquid is supplied from a bottle to a discharge outlet via a reservoir, wherein the dispenser includes a reservoir;
- a bottle connector for releasable sealing engagement with the open end of a neck formed on the bottle, and in liquid flow-conducting communication therewith; and
conduit means connected to said bottle connector for conducting liquid from the bottle connector to the reservoir, characterised in that at least the bottle connector, the conduit means and the reservoir are formed of or lined with a material containing silver in a bound form to provide integral surfaces from which silver ions (Ag+) are released into the liquid during contact therewith and at a controlled rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- a bottle connector for releasable sealing engagement with the open end of a neck formed on the bottle, and in liquid flow-conducting communication therewith; and
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11. A bottled liquid dispenser in which liquid is supplied from a bottle to a discharge outlet via a reservoir, wherein the dispenser includes a reservoir and transfer means defining a liquid flow path and constructed for conducting liquid from the bottle to the reservoir, said transfer means including a bottle connector for releasable sealing engagement with the open end of a neck formed on the bottle and in liquid flow-conducting communication therewith;
- characterised in that at least the transfer means and the reservoir are formed of or lined with a material containing silver in a bound form to provide integral surfaces from which silver ions (Ag+) are released into the liquid during contact therewith and at a controlled rate.
- View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification