IP Library Granted Patent US 12,167,723
Granted Patent B2
US 12,167,723 · App. 16/850,658 · Granted Dec 17, 2024

Water dispenser

Inventors: Jiang Wu (Foshan, CN); Tyler Ayers (Winston-salem, NC); Luis Saldana (Winston-salem, NC)
Assignees: DS SERVICES OF AMERICA, INC.; FOSHAN SHUNDE MEDIA WATER; MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
A01K7/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,167,723
App. No.
16/850,658
Granted
Dec 17, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A water dispenser including a body and a water outlet mechanism, the body includes a base and a supply pipe inside of the body, multiple mounting grooves set on the side of the base; the water outlet mechanism arranged on the base, including a diversion component including a diversion pipe and a diversion valve installed in a pipeline of the diversion pipe; an end of the diversion pipe is connected to the supply pipes, the other end of the diversion pipe extending into the mounting groove; a linkage component, an inner end of that connected to the valve, an outer end of that extending into the mounting groove; when the outer end of the linkage component suffers an inward force, making the valve move to conduct the water inlet chamber and the diversion chamber; and a resetting component that connects the base and the linkage component.

Claims (50)

1. A water dispenser comprising:

a body;

a cold water dispenser configured for human use disposed on the body;

at least one tray mounted to a mounting groove disposed on the body, wherein the at least one tray moves between a first position and a second position in response to an inward force from an animal;

a diversion pipe fluidly connected to the at least one tray;

the diversion pipe sealed by a diversion valve;

a linkage component operatively connected to the diversion valve;

the linkage component configured to move the diversion valve and open the diversion pipe in response to a force applied on the linkage component by the at least one tray, wherein the at least one tray applies the force on the linkage component in response to the inward force from the animal; and

a resetting component configured to return the linkage component to a rest position when the force is released.

2. The water dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a hot water mechanism configured for human use disposed on the body.

3. The water dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the mounting groove is disposed on a base of the body.

4. The water dispenser of claim 1 ,

wherein when the at least one tray is in the first position, the linkage component is in the rest position; and

when the at least one tray is in the second position, the linkage component moves the diversion valve to open the diversion pipe.

5. The water dispenser of claim 4 , wherein the linkage component comprises a push rod and a connecting rod; and

the connecting rod operatively connecting the diversion valve and the push rod such that the force applied operates the push rod and moves the connecting rod to open the diversion pipe.

6. The water dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a water level monitoring apparatus configured to prevent the diversion pipe from opening when the water level in the at least one tray is at least a preset water level.

7. The water dispenser of claim 6 , wherein the water level monitoring apparatus is further configured to monitor the water level in the at least one tray while the diversion pipe is open; and

the water level monitoring apparatus configured to seal the diversion pipe when the water level in the at least one tray is equal to or greater than the preset water level.

8. A water dispenser comprising:

a body;

a cold water dispenser configured for human use disposed on the body;

at least one tray and at least one mounting groove disposed on at least one side of a lower portion of the body, wherein the at least one tray moves between a first position and a second position in response to an inward force from an animal;

at least one diversion pipe fluidly connecting the at least one tray to a diversion valve;

wherein the at least one diversion pipe is fluidly sealed by the diversion valve;

a respective linkage component operatively connected to the diversion valve;

the respective linkage component configured to move the diversion valve and open the respective diversion pipe in response to a force applied by the at least one tray, wherein the at least one tray applies the force on the linkage component in response to the inward force from the animal; and

a respective resetting component configured to return the respective linkage component to a rest position when the force is released.

9. The water dispenser of claim 8 , wherein the at least one tray is operatively connected to the respective linkage component such that each tray is independently operable.

10. The water dispenser of claim 9 , wherein when the force is applied to the respective linkage component, the diversion pipe opens to direct water from a water source to the at least one tray configured to be operated by the respective linkage component.

11. The water dispenser of claim 9 , wherein the at least one tray is configured to move between a first position and a second position in response to the force applied;

wherein when the at least one tray is in the first position, the respective linkage component is in the rest position; and

when the at least one tray is in the second position, the respective linkage component moves the diversion valve to open the respective diversion pipe.

12. The water dispenser of claim 8 further comprising a water monitoring apparatus configured to prevent the respective diversion pipe from opening when a water level in the at least one tray is at least a preset value.

13. The water dispenser of claim 8 , wherein the water level monitoring apparatus is further configured to monitor the water level in the at least one tray while the respective diversion pipe is open; and

the water level monitoring apparatus configured to seal the respective diversion pipe when the water level in the at least one tray is equal to or greater than the preset water level.

14. The water dispenser of claim 8 , wherein each of the at least one tray is operatively connected to at least one of the respective linkage components such that when the force is applied, the respective linkage component operates to direct a fluid from a water source to the at least one tray mounted to the respective mounting groove.

15. The water dispenser of claim 14 , wherein the diversion valve is configured to direct water to each of the respective diversion pipes operatively connected to a respective linkage component receiving the force applied by the animal, and each respective linkage component is operable to direct the fluid to a respective tray.

16. A water dispenser comprising:

a body;

at least one tray mounted to a mounting groove disposed on a lower portion of the body, wherein the at least one tray moves between a first position and a second position in response to an inward force from an animal;

a diversion pipe fluidly connected to the at least one tray;

the diversion pipe sealed by a diversion valve;

a linkage component mechanically connected to the diversion valve; and

the linkage component configured to move the diversion valve and open the diversion pipe in response to a force applied by the at least one tray, wherein the at least one tray applies the force on the linkage component in response to the inward force from the animal.

17. The water dispenser of claim 16 further comprising a resetting component configured to seal the diversion pipe when the force is released.

18. The water dispenser of claim 16 further comprising a water monitoring apparatus configured to prevent the diversion pipe from opening when a water level in the at least one tray is at least a preset value.

19. The water dispenser of claim 16 , wherein the water level monitoring apparatus is further configured to monitor the water level in the at least one tray while the diversion pipe is open; and

the water level monitoring apparatus configured to seal the diversion pipe when the water level in the at least one tray is equal to or greater than the preset water level.

20. The water dispenser of claim 17 further comprising a hot water dispenser and a cold water dispenser.

Assignments (7)
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 13, 2025
From: DS SERVICES OF AMERICA, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 070207/0101 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2025
From: BLUETRITON BRANDS, INC.; DS SERVICES OF AMERICA, INC; TRITON WATER HOLDINGS, INC.; BLUETRITON BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 070209/0380 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SHORT FORM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 13, 2025
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: DS SERVICES OF AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 070226/0495 →
MERGER Recorded Jul 18, 2024
From: PRIMO WATER CORPORATION
To: PRIMO WATER HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 068018/0358 →
MERGER Recorded Jul 18, 2024
From: PRIMO WATER HOLDINGS LLC
To: DS SERVICES OF AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 068018/0471 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2024
From: WU, JIANG; AYERS, TYLER; SALDANA, LUIS
To: FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA WATER DISPENSER MFG. CO., LTD.; MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.; PRIMO WATER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 068434/0440 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2020
From: DS SERVICES OF AMERICA, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 054147/0270 →