Air conditioner condensate collector

Abstract

A condensate collector for an air conditioner window unit. The condensate collector includes a pan including walled sides. Two or more connectors are provided for connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit. A first one of the connectors is located on one side of the pan and a second one of the connectors is located on an opposite side of the pan from the first one of the connectors. A sponge is removably positioned within the pan, and a drain is provided including an aperture in the pan. A method of collecting condensate from an air conditioner window unit is further provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A condensate collector for an air conditioner window unit, the condensate collector comprising:
 a pan comprising walled sides;   at least two connectors, the at least two connectors located on opposite sides of the pan for connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit;   at least one sponge removably positioned within the pan; and   a drain comprising an aperture in the pan.   
     
     
         2 . The condensate collector of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two connectors comprise at least two hooked members. 
     
     
         3 . The condensate collector of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two connectors comprise four hooked members, wherein two of the four hooked members are connected to a first side of the pan and another two of the four hooked members are connected to a second side of the pan opposite the first side of the pan. 
     
     
         4 . The condensate collector of  claim 1 , wherein the sponge is connected to the pan via friction with the walled sides. 
     
     
         5 . The condensate collector of  claim 1 , wherein the pan comprises a pitched surface for directing liquid to the drain. 
     
     
         6 . The condensate collector of  claim 1 , further comprising a tube extending from the drain. 
     
     
         7 . The condensate collector of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve connected to the drain. 
     
     
         8 . The condensate collector of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two connectors comprise elongated flexible connectors. 
     
     
         9 . The condensate collector of  claim 8 , wherein the elongated flexible connectors comprise chains. 
     
     
         10 . A combination air conditioner window unit and condensate collector, the combination comprising:
 an air conditioner window unit configured for attachment in a window;   a condensate collector comprising:
 a pan comprising walled sides; 
 at least two connectors, the at least two connectors located on opposite sides of the pan removably connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit; 
 at least one sponge removably positioned within the pan; and 
 a drain comprising an aperture in the pan. 
   
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the at least two connectors of the condensate collector comprise at least two hooked members, and wherein the air conditioner window unit comprises vent apertures, and the hooked members of the condensate collector are removably connected to the vent apertures of the air conditioner window unit. 
     
     
         12 . A method of collecting condensate from an air conditioner window unit, the method comprising:
 providing a condensate collector comprising:
 a pan comprising walled sides; 
 at least two connectors, the at least two connectors located on opposite sides of the pan; 
 at least one sponge removably positioned within the pan; and 
 a drain comprising an aperture in the pan; and 
 removably connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit using the at least two connectors. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the drain comprises a valve, the method further comprising opening the valve to drain collected condensate from the pan. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least two connectors of the condensate collector comprises at least two hooked members, and wherein the air conditioner window unit comprises vent apertures, the method further comprising removably connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit by connecting the hooked members of the condensate collector to the vent apertures of the air conditioner window unit. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein removably connecting the condensate collector comprises hanging the condensate collector from the air conditioner window unit using elongated flexible connectors.