IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,874,551
Granted Patent B1
US 6,874,551 · App. 10/692,943 · Granted Apr 5, 2005

Mechanism for dispersing items within a liquid to be dispensed

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,874,551
App. No.
10/692,943
Granted
Apr 5, 2005
Kind
B1
Abstract

A liquid dispenser for periodically dispersing a predetermined quantity of an item, such as chlorine or vitamin gel, into a liquid to be dispensed such as water or coffee.

Claims (24)

1. A device for dispersing an item within a dispensable liquid, comprising:

a rotating, indexing mechanism carrying a piercing feature;

a support ring positioned adjacent the indexing mechanism, the support ring having compartments carrying discrete, predetermined portions of the item to be dispersed within the liquid;

wherein the item portions are designed to disperse a predetermined amount of the item within the liquid upon being contacted by the piercing feature.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is designed to engage and be in liquid communication with a liquid container for dispensing.

3. The liquid dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises water, and the item comprises chlorine.

4. The liquid dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises water, and the item comprises vitamins.

5. The liquid dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises water, and the item comprises flavoring agents.

6. The liquid dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the item comprises vitamins.

7. The liquid dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the item is in gel form.

8. The liquid dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the item comprises a viscous liquid.

9. The liquid dispenser of claim 1 , further comprising an absorbent pad positioned below the support ring.

10. A self-chlorinating water dispenser having a housing and designed to engage and be in water communication with a water container, comprising:

a rotating, indexing mechanism contained within the water dispenser housing and including a plunger having a piercing feature;

a support ring carrying discrete, predetermined portions of chlorine;

wherein the chlorine portions are designed to disperse a predetermined amount of chlorine within the water upon being contacted by the piercing feature.

11. The self-chlorinating water dispenser of claim 10 , further comprising an absorbent pad located below the support ring.

12. The self-chlorinating water dispenser of claim 10 , wherein the support ring is rigidly attached to and rotates with the rotating mechanism.

13. The self-chlorinating water dispenser of claim 10 , wherein the water container comprises a water bottle having a threaded neck.

14. The self-chlorinating water dispenser of claim 10 , wherein the plunger is spring-loaded.

15. The self-chlorinating water dispenser of claim 10 , wherein the piercing feature comprises a relatively sharp, downwardly extending nib.

16. The self-chlorinating water dispenser of claim 10 , wherein the chlorine portion comprises a gel capsule.

17. The self-chlorinating water dispenser of claim 10 , wherein the water dispenser also comprises a filtration device.

18. The self-chlorinating water dispenser of claim 10 , wherein the piercing feature comprises a nib.