Receptacle assembly for bottled water dispenser

Abstract

A receptacle for receiving a supply bottle in a bottled water dispenser includes a bottle support member having an annular rim for supporting the supply bottle in an inverted mounted position. The support member has a downwardly depending funnel portion for receiving the bottle neck, the neck having a closure cap. The funnel portion has a bottom wall portion with an opening therein. Water in the funnel portion received from the bottle passes through this opening to be dispensed by the dispenser. A piercing probe extends upwardly from the bottom wall portion to pierce the cap on the water bottle neck. The piercing probe is non-tubular and has at least one longitudinal exterior groove to allow water to pass from the bottle neck into the funnel portion.

1 . A receptacle for delivering liquid from an inverted supply bottle to a reservoir in a dispenser, wherein the supply bottle has a narrow neck, the neck being closed by a cap having a central, axial recess with a frangible bottom, comprising: 
 a bottle support member having an annular rim for supporting a supply bottle in an inverted mounted position, the support member also having a downwardly depending funnel portion extending below the rim and adapted to receive the bottle neck; the funnel portion having a bottom wall portion defining at least one opening for the passage of liquid from the funnel portion to a dispenser reservoir, the bottom wall portion being spaced below the neck of a mounted supply bottle; an elongate piercing probe extending upwardly from the bottom wall portion a sufficient distance to break the cap frangible bottom of a mounted supply bottle; and the piercing probe having at least one longitudinal exterior groove adapted to extend through a broken cap frangible bottom of a mounted supply bottle for the passage of liquid from inside the supply bottle into the funnel portion.    
   
   
       2 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the funnel portion has an upright side wall, and wherein the bottom wall portion has a probe support releasably mounted therein.  
   
   
       3 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the side wall has a curved upper portion extending downwardly and inwardly from the annular rim.  
   
   
       4 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the probe support is threadably attached to the side wall.  
   
   
       5 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the probe support is attached to the sidewall by a twist lock.  
   
   
       6 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the bottle support member and piercing probe are formed as one integral unit.  
   
   
       7 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the probe support further comprises a demountable canister located below and in communication with the bottom wall opening to receive liquid through said opening, the canister having a foraminate lower wall for passing liquid therethrough to the reservoir.  
   
   
       8 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the canister is filled with a filter medium.  
   
   
       9 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the filter medium includes activated charcoal.  
   
   
       10 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 1  and further comprising radially disposed support gussets extending between the bottom wall portion and the piercing probe.  
   
   
       11 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the piercing probe has an upper distal end portion having a transverse width sufficient to split open the frangible bottom of the supply bottle cap central axial recess.  
   
   
       12 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the funnel bottom wall portion has a plurality of openings for the passage of liquid therethrough.  
   
   
       13 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the piercing probe has a plurality of transversely disposed longitudinal ribs defining one of said longitudinal exterior grooves between adjacent ones of said ribs.  
   
   
       14 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the piercing probe has an arcuate elongate wall portion defining said longitudinal exterior groove.  
   
   
       15 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the probe has a helical or spiral rib defining said longitudinal exterior groove between adjacent revolutions of said helical rib.  
   
   
       16 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the probe is in the form of a helical coil, said longitudinal exterior groove being formed between adjacent turns of said coil.  
   
   
       17 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the piercing probe has an upper distal end portion defining a transverse groove for use with a supply bottle of the type having a sealable plug as the frangible bottom of the cap central axial recess.  
   
   
       18 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the piercing probe has an upper end portion formed with transverse projections for use with a supply bottle of the type having a sealable plug as the frangible bottom of the cap central axial recess.  
   
   
       19 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said ribs include laterally disposed outer flanges.  
   
   
       20 . A receptacle as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the piercing probe has a pair of opposed accurate elongate wall portions and a central flange joining said opposed arcuate-wall portions.