Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Utilizing electrical or wave energy directly applied to...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2001-11-06
Simmons, David A. (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Utilizing electrical or wave energy directly applied to...
C210S760000, C210S764000, C239S012000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312608
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of drinking water containers and dispensers. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of storage containers and dispensers that can purify or sterilize water and maintain the water in a pure or sterile state, while filling or dispensing through a conduit having sterilizing abilities, or over a water fall having the capacity to maintain sterilization
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Liquids are commonly stored for extended periods of time in storage containers, and dispensed at a later time. An example is a thermos cooler or five gallon bottled water container which can hold gallons of potable liquid, and thereby transport the liquid to a place where the liquid can be utilized as desired.
Perhaps the biggest problem associated with storing liquid that requires periodic, dispersing while being stored is contamination of the liquid. Large amounts of liquid will be ruined and unusable if they are contaminated by germs, bacteria, etc. before being consumed particularly when the stored liquid is exposed to the atmosphere during periodic dispensing. Dispensing techniques have the capacity to contaminate liquids which were stored in a sterile state.
Another problem associated with storing liquid over a long period of time is that even if the liquid is stored in an insulated environment, the liquid is subject to slight temperature adjustment toward the temperature of the surroundings of the container. Lukewarm beverages are not very desirable in general, and tend to be contaminated much faster than when they are very hot or very cold.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a beverage storage and dispensing container that is capable of being filled or emptied without placing the liquid in direct contact with the atmosphere or other gaseous substances.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a container/dispenser that is able to sterilize the liquid during storage.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a container that is able to be filled or emptied through a conduit having sterilizing capability, or flow the liquid over a water fall having sterilizing capabilities.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a container/dispenser that is able to maintain in a temperature of a liquid over as long of a period of time as is desired.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such container/dispenser that provides these benefits for a much liquid as is conceivably transportable, while at the same time, making small amounts of the store liquid available to individuals in small portions.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide such a container/dispenser that provides all of the above benefits with easy access to further necessary power-supplied appliances and all utensils and apparatuses needed for serving and catering.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the ability for filling of the container/dispenser from a powered mobile bulk delivery system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to meet the above-described needs and others. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid storage and dispensing container, which includes a flexible diaphragm, bladder, flexible bag bellows or other variable volume apparatus, a liquid dispenser, and a liquid sterilizer that maintains the liquid in a sterile state in the container. The liquid in the container may be any liquid such as drinking water or beverage. The sterilizer can include an ultraviolet light, an ultrasonic generator, a silver particle sterilizer, an ozone generator and injection mechanism, and other suitable sterilizing apparatuses or techniques.
Filling and dispensing conduits may have the ability to sterilize the liquid while the liquid is present in the conduit. The sterilizing means may be silver impregnated conduits, fiber optic ultraviolet light, ozone, ultrasonic or other suitable sterilizing apparatuses or techniques. An antibacterial dispenser may be provided at an end of the conduit, also having a associated sterilizing means.
A temperature adjustment device, such as a thermoelectric component may be attached to or contained inside the container. To heat or cool the stored liquid, any suitable heating or cooling apparatus may be used.
The liquid may be stored under pressure by exerting external pressure to the variable volume liquid storage container/dispenser. External pressure can be achieved by mechanical means such as a spring, or, by surrounding a liquid bladder with an inflexible cover and pressurizing an area between the flexible liquid bladder and the inflexible cover. An air compressor for example can be used to pressurize this area. If the air void is equipped with a pressure sensor, pressure relief valve and an air compressor for example, then a constant pressure can be applied to the liquid bladder thus maintaining the liquid at a given storage pressure as the liquid is dispersed.
The liquid storage and dispersing container along with its sterilizing capabilities and cooling or heating capabilities may be located near an end user who disperses sterile liquid on demand. The storage/dispensing system can be refilled by a powered mobile delivery system or other suitable liquid supply system.
The liquid storage and dispersing container along with its sterilizing capabilities can be sized for use by an end user, as a means of providing powered mobile bulk delivery in a bulk delivery system. Also, the liquid storage and dispersing container along with its sterilizing capabilities can be sized for centralized bulk storage to service mobile bulk delivery systems.
A device may be added to the container, which automatically begins and ends operation of the sterilizer. Such a device may include a timer, which provides automation of any sterilizer, such as an ultraviolet light. Another device may be added, which automatically begins and ends operation of a thermoelectric device. Such a device may include a temperature sensor. The thermoelectric device may provide heat to the liquid when a switching circuit connected to the thermoelectric device is positioned in a first state, and the device may also cool the liquid when the switching circuit is positioned in a second state.
An alarm system can include both a detector and a warning device, and activates the warning device upon an event of a container malfunction and/or upon an event of a container defect may be added to the container.
Computer hardware and software may be used to monitor and operate the sensors.
The liquid storage and dispensing container may also include an insulation layer for reducing thermal transfer between the liquid and the surroundings of the container. The container may also have a protective outer cover that surrounds the container. The method may also include the steps of pressurizing the liquid in the container, and measuring an amount of the liquid in the container. Other steps in the method may include providing work surfaces, shelves, an ice maker, and storage areas in the surroundings of the container.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows or may be learned by those skilled in the art through reading these materials or practicing the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be achieved through the means recited in the attached claims.
To achieve these stated and other objects, the present invention may be embodied and described as set forth in the following detailed description, in the drawings, and in the claims.
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patent: 3679055 (1972-07-01), Clark et al.
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patent: 4836409 (1989-06-01), Lane
patent: 5068030 (1991-11-01), Chen
patent: 5124050 (1992-06-01), Ushimaru et al.
patent: 5358635 (1994-10-01), Frank et al.
patent: 5389254 (1995-02-01), Sherman
patent: 5
Lawrence Frank M.
Simmons David A.
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