Liquid purification or separation – With preliminary chemical manufacture
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-28
2001-03-06
Smith, Duane (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
With preliminary chemical manufacture
C210S198100, C222S146600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06197189
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the art of coolers for dispensing fluids such as drinking water, and more particularly to a new and improved water cooler for dispensing oxygen enriched water.
Oxygen enriched drinking water has an enhanced taste appeal and offers the health and fitness conscious consumer an alternative and supplemental source of oxygen that is absorbed through the stomach. The term drinking water is intended to include, without limitation, spring water, filtered water, or water treated by the reverse osmosis process.
The dissolved oxygen content of natural pure spring water ranges from between about 5 mg/liter to 9 mg/liter depending on the source of the water, purification and processing techniques applied prior to bottling, and other factors. The water can be supersaturated with oxygen by injecting molecular oxygen into a water pipeline controlled at a pressure of 40-90 PSIG (pounds per square inch gage), or using other known methods. Using this technique, the dissolved oxygen level of the water can be increased to about 25-125 mg/liter. If bottled immediately in hermetically sealed bulk glass bottles or other suitable containers, the water will maintain the elevated dissolved oxygen level indefinitely.
Bulk water bottles typically are in the 3-5 gallon range. Upon opening a bulk water bottle containing water that is supersaturated with oxygen, and installing the water bottle on a standard water cooler, the dissolved oxygen in the water decreases to near the baseline level of about 5-9 mg/liter within about 3-5 days. Since the average time required to consume a 3-5 gallon bulk water bottle typically is in the 10-14 day range, the rapid decrease in dissolved oxygen prevents the commercial marketing of oxygen enriched drinking water in 3-5 gallon bulk bottles for use on standard water coolers.
It would, therefore, be highly desirable to provide a new and improved water cooler for dispensing oxygen enriched water wherein the dissolved oxygen content of water in the bottle installed on the water cooler is maintained at or about the original supersaturated level during the entire time water is dispensed from the bottle by the cooler, i.e., during the entire usage cycle of the bottle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a new and improved water cooler and method of operating the same for dispensing oxygen enriched water from a water bottle installed on the cooler, the water having a dissolved oxygen content at a supersaturated level previously established during bottling of the water. An oxygen source combined with the water cooler delivers oxygen through the water to a headspace in the bottle above the water to maintain the dissolved oxygen content of water in the bottle substantially at the supersaturated level during the entire time water is dispensed from the bottle by the cooler. The oxygen source preferably comprises an oxygen generator, and such generator preferably comprises a pressure swing adsorption oxygen generating apparatus. Alternatively, the oxygen source can be of various other forms including stored oxygen such as bottled oxygen.
Other features are included in the oxygenated water cooler to improve the operation and functionality of the water cooler. For example, the water cooler of the present invention may include a control system including, for example, a timer and control solenoid for cyclically purging a sieve in the oxygen generator to increase the oxygen purity level within the water bottle.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes a water tank lid with increased strength and sealing capabilities. In the water cooler of the present invention, the water tank lid must contain the pressure of the oxygen introduced into the water tank, and must also prevent the water from leaking from the water tank. Accordingly, a mounting adapter assembly is provided to attach the water tank lid to a bottle entry portion of the water cooler. For increased strength and sealing, the mounting adapter assembly is attached with screws, bolts, or other suitable mounting hardware to the water tank lid and is sealed with flexible sealing material to prevent leakage of oxygen and water from the water tank.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes a muffler apparatus for reducing the noise produced by the sieve exhaust venting port of the oxygen generator.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes a water dispenser control unit that provides metered amounts of water in response to the insertion of coins, bills, tokens, or other forms of currency. A credit card, ATM card, debit card, or the like may also be used. The water dispenser control unit provides a convenient way for people to pay for a cup of oxygenated water.
The water cooler of the present invention may additionally be configured to provide gaseous oxygen for direct inhalation. The oxygen is preferably supplied using a face mask apparatus connected to the oxygen generator of the water cooler, a tank of oxygen, or other oxygen source. An oxygen dispenser control unit that provides metered amounts of oxygen in response to user payment may also be provided.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus for measuring the oxygen level of the oxygenated water in the water cooler. A meter may be mounted on the exterior of the water cooler or other visible location to provide a reading of the oxygen level of the water. The meter preferably displays a value corresponding to the ratio of oxygen contained in the oxygenated water relative to the oxygen level of water that has not been oxygenated. For example, this meter would read 550% if the oxygen level in the water bottle is 5.5 times the level of unoxygenated water.
The foregoing and additional advantages and characterizing features of the present invention will become clearly apparent upon a reading of the ensuing detailed description together with the included drawings wherein:
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Crowley Dennis E.
Mowers Doug
Mravlja, Jr. George P.
Ritton Jason
Schwartz Henry
Hoey Betsey Morrison
Oxygen8, Inc.
Schmeiser Olsen & Watts
Smith Duane
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