System for effecting liquid transfer from an elevated supply container

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for effecting transfer of liquid from a supply container to a receiving container comprising a support structure, configured to support the supply container mounting means configured for suspending the support structure at an elevated position relative to the receiving container and a fluid transfer apparatus, configured for fluid communication disposition with the liquid in the supply container when the supply container is supported on the support structure to thereby effect creation of a fluid pressure driving force for initiating flow of the liquid from the supply container, and including an outlet for effecting discharge of the liquid being flowed to the receiving container. Also is provided is a kit for an apparatus for supporting an object comprising a support structure configured to support the supply container and mounting means configured for snap-fit engagement to the support structure to effect releasable coupling of the mounting means to the support structure.

1 . A system for effecting transfer of liquid from a supply container to a receiving container comprising: 
 a) a support structure, configured to support the supply container;    b) mounting means configured for suspending the support structure at an elevated position relative to the receiving container; and    c) a fluid transfer apparatus, configured for fluid communication disposition with the liquid in the supply container when the supply container is supported on the support structure to thereby effect creation of a fluid pressure driving force for initiating flow of the liquid from the supply container, and including an outlet for effecting discharge of the liquid being flowed to the receiving container.    
   
   
       2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting means is configured to effect mounting of the support structure to a mounting surface having a transverse axis perpendicular to the transverse axis of a horizontal surface.  
   
   
       3 . The system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the mounting surface extends upwardly from a horizontal floor.  
   
   
       4 . The system as claimed in claims  1 , wherein the support structure includes a base configured for vertically supporting the supply container and lateral support means projecting above the base and configured for providing lateral support to the supply container supported on the base.  
   
   
       5 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the lateral support means includes at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections, each of the sidewall sections projecting above the base and configured for providing lateral support to the supply container supported on the base.  
   
   
       6 . The system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the base presents an upwardly facing planar vertical support surface, and each of the sidewall sections presents an inwardly facing planar lateral support surface which is orthogonal to the vertical support surface of the base.  
   
   
       7 . The system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the planar lateral support surface of each of the sidewall sections of a first one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections is orthogonal to the planar lateral support surface of each of the sidewall sections of a second one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections.  
   
   
       8 . The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the first one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections is disposed between the second one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections.  
   
   
       9 . The system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the first one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections is coupled to the second one of the at least two sidewall sections.  
   
   
       10 . The system as claimed in claims  1 , wherein the fluid transfer apparatus is configured for fluid communication disposition with the liquid in the supply container when the supply container is supported on the support structure to thereby initiate and effect siphoning of the liquid such that liquid is flowed from the supply container.  
   
   
       11 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the mounting means is configured to effect mounting of the support structure to a mounting surface having a transverse axis perpendicular to the transverse axis of a horizontal surface.  
   
   
       12 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the mounting surface extends upwardly from a horizontal floor.  
   
   
       13 . The system as claimed in claims  10 , wherein the support structure includes a base configured for vertically supporting the supply container, and lateral support means projecting above the base and configured for providing lateral support to the supply container supported on the base.  
   
   
       14 . The system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the lateral support means includes at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections, each of the sidewall sections projecting above the base and configured for providing lateral support to the supply container supported on the base.  
   
   
       15 . The system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the base presents an upwardly facing planar vertical support surface, and each of the sidewall sections presents an inwardly facing planar lateral support surface which is orthogonal to the vertical support surface of the base.  
   
   
       16 . The system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the planar lateral support surface of each of the sidewall sections of a first one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections is orthogonal to the planar lateral support surface of each of the sidewall sections of a second one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections.  
   
   
       17 . The system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the first one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections is disposed between the second one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections.  
   
   
       18 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the first one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections is disposed to the second one of the at least two sidewall sections.  
   
   
       19 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the first one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections is coupled to the second one of the at least two sidewall sections.  
   
   
       20 . The system as claimed in claims  1 , wherein the fluid transfer apparatus is configured for fluid communication disposition with the liquid in the supply container when the container is supported on the support structure to thereby effect creation and communication of a reduced fluid pressure relative to a fluid pressure of the liquid in the supply container and thereby initiate flow of the liquid from the supply container.  
   
   
       21 . The system as claimed in claims  1 , wherein the mounting means include at least two mounting brackets configured for mounting to the mounting surface, wherein each of the mounting brackets includes at least one elongated rail, and wherein the support structure includes a plurality of channels configured to be keyed into a respective one of the rails for slideable mounting thereon.  
   
   
       22 . A system for effecting transfer of liquid from a supply container to a receiving container comprising: 
 a) a support structure including a base configured for vertically supporting the supply container and lateral support means projecting above the base and configured for providing lateral support to the supply container supported on the base; and    b) a fluid transfer apparatus configured for fluid communication disposition with the liquid in the supply container when the supply container is supported on the legal structure to thereby effect creation of a fluid pressure driving force for initiating flow of the liquid from the supply container, and including an outlet for effecting discharge of the liquid being flowed to the receiving container.    
   
   
       23 . The system as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the fluid transfer apparatus is configured for fluid communication disposition with the liquid in the supply container when the supply container is supported on the support structure to thereby initiate and effect siphoning of the liquid such that liquid is flowed from the supply container.  
   
   
       24 . The system as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the fluid transfer apparatus is configured for fluid communication disposition with the liquid in the supply container when the container is supported on the support structure to thereby effect creation and communication of a reduced fluid pressure relative to a fluid pressure of the liquid in the supply container and thereby initiate flow of the liquid from the supply container.  
   
   
       25 . The system as claimed in claims  22 , wherein the support structure includes a base configured for vertically supporting the supply container, and lateral support means projecting above the base and configured for providing lateral support to the supply container supported on the base.  
   
   
       26 . The system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the lateral support means includes at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections, each of the sidewall sections projecting above the base and configured for providing lateral support to the supply container supported on the base.  
   
   
       27 . The system as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the base presents an upwardly facing planar vertical support surface, and each of the sidewall sections presents an inwardly facing planar lateral support surface which is orthogonal to the vertical support surface of the base.  
   
   
       28 . The system as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the planar lateral support surface of each of the sidewall sections of a first one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections is orthogonal to the planar lateral support surface of each of the sidewall sections of a second one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections.  
   
   
       29 . The system as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the first one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections is disposed between the second one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections.  
   
   
       30 . The system as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the first one of the at least two pairs of opposing sidewall sections is coupled to the second one of the at least two sidewall sections.