U.S. patent application number 09/834079 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-17 for heated watering bucket.
Invention is credited to Blahnik, Joe, Owen, Donald B., Reusche, Thomas K..
Application Number | 20020148825 09/834079 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25266053 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020148825 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reusche, Thomas K. ; et
al. |
October 17, 2002 |
HEATED WATERING BUCKET
Abstract
A heated water bucket includes a main bucket having a bottom
wall and a wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The side
wall has an upper portion, a lower portion and a downwardly
extending lip formed at the junction of the inner and outer
buckets. The outer bucket has a reduced height relative to the
height of the main bucket and its side wall seats within a radial
groove defined by the downwardly extending lip. A heating element
in the form of a foil heater is disposed between the inner and
outer buckets outer shell and the main bucket. The heating element
is wrapped around the side wall of the inner bucket and may be
secured thereto by an adhesive backing. A power cord extends from
the watering tank and is interconnected with the heating element
for delivering electrical power thereto.
Inventors: |
Reusche, Thomas K.; (Elburn,
IL) ; Owen, Donald B.; (Batavia, IL) ;
Blahnik, Joe; (St. Charles, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kirk A. Vander Leest
McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd.
500 West Madison, Suite 3400
Chicago
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
25266053 |
Appl. No.: |
09/834079 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/438 ; 119/73;
219/429 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 7/027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
219/438 ;
219/429; 119/73 |
International
Class: |
A01K 007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A heated water bucket comprising: a main bucket having a bottom
wall and a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the
side wall having an upper portion and a lower portion; an outer
shell disposed about the lower portion of side wall of the main
bucket, the outer shell and the side wall of the main bucket
defining a compartment therebetween; a heating element disposed
between the outer shell and the main bucket; and a power cord
extending from the watering tank and being interconnected with the
heating element for delivering electrical power thereto.
2. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
heating element comprises a foil heater.
3. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 2, wherein the foil
is secured to side wall of the main bucket.
4. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 3, wherein the foil
heater includes an adhesive backing which secures the foil heater
to the side wall of the main bucket.
5. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outer
shell comprises a bucket having a reduced height relative to the
height of the main bucket.
6. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outer
shell comprises a second bucket having a bottom wall and a side
wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the side wall of the
second bucket being shorter than the side wall of the main
bucket.
7. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 6, wherein side wall
of the includes downwardly extending lip formed at the junction of
the upper and lower portions, and wherein side wall of the second
bucket has an upper edge which seats in the downwardly extending
lip.
8. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outer
shell is secured to the main bucket by a plurality of threaded
fasteners.
9. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 6 wherein the second
bucket comprises a partial bucket having a partial bottom wall.
10. A heated water bucket comprising: an inner bucket having a
bottom wall and a circular side wall extending upwardly from the
bottom wall, the side wall having an upper portion, a reduced
diameter lower portion and a downwardly extending lip formed at the
junction of the upper and lower portions; an outer bucket disposed
about the main bucket, the outer bucket having bottom wall and a
circular side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the
side wall of the outer bucket being shorter than the side wall of
the inner bucket and having an upper edge seated in the downwardly
extending lip of the inner bucket, the side walls of the inner and
outer buckets defining a gap therebetween; a heating element
disposed in the gap between the inner and outer buckets; and a
power cord extending from the watering tank and being
interconnected with the heating element for delivering electrical
power thereto.
11. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 10, wherein the
heating element comprises a foil heater.
12. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 11, wherein the
foil is secured to side wall of the inner bucket.
13. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
foil heater includes an adhesive backing which secures the foil
heater to the side wall of the inner bucket.
14. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 10, wherein the
outer bucket is secured to the inner bucket by a plurality of
threaded fasteners.
15. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 10, wherein the
main bucket includes at least one leg extending downwardly from its
bottom wall, the leg engaging against the bottom wall of the outer
bucket so as to space the bottom wall of the inner bucket from the
bottom wall of the outer bucket and to support the bottom wall of
the inner bucket against downward deflection.
16. A heated water bucket as set forth in claim 10 wherein the
bottom wall of the second bucket has an open center.
17. A heated water bucket comprising: an inner bucket having a
bottom wall and a circular side wall extending upwardly from the
bottom wall, the side wall having an upper portion, a reduced
diameter lower portion and a downwardly extending lip formed at the
junction of the upper and lower portions; an outer bucket disposed
about the main bucket, the outer bucket having bottom wall and a
circular side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the
side wall of the outer bucket being shorter than the side wall of
the inner bucket and having an upper edge seated in the downwardly
extending lip of the inner bucket, the side walls of the inner and
outer buckets defining a gap therebetween; a heating element
positioned in the gap between side walls of the inner and outer
bucket and being secured about the lower portion of the side wall
of the main bucket; and a power cord extending from the watering
tank and being interconnected with the heating element for
delivering electrical power thereto.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS (IF APPLICABLE)
[0001] Not applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
(IF APPLICABLE)
[0002] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a heated water
bucket designed to prevent liquids such as water from freezing when
placed outside in cold weather.
[0004] Domestic animals, such as livestock and pets, require large
amounts of water throughout the year. In order to provide domestic
animal with needed water during winter months, it is known to equip
exterior livestock watering tanks with heating elements to prevent
the water contained therein from icing over during cold
temperatures. Often the heating elements are in the form of
immersable heater that either float in the tank or rest on the
bottom of the tank. Although such immersable heaters may prevent
the water from freezing, they tend to need to be replaced
frequently. Alternatively, it is know to equip the watering tank
with a built in heater. One known design, which is sold by the
assignee of the present application, consists of a pair of gallon
plastic buckets, which are nested one inside of the other. A
heating element in the form of a foil heater is disposed between
the walls of the two buckets. The heating element is affixed to the
inner bucket by an adhesive. Because of its relatively small size,
this bucket needs to be secured to prevent it from being tipped
over by animals. Additionally, its small size necessitates frequent
refilling when it is used by large animals, such as horses, and
makes it unsuitable for supply water to multiple animals. Using
this design for a larger bucket, such as a sixteen or twenty gallon
bucket, would be relatively expensive because it would require
using two of the larger, more costly buckets.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A heated water bucket includes a main bucket having a bottom
wall and a wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The side
wall has an upper portion and a lower portion. An outer shell
disposed about the lower portion of side wall of the main bucket.
The outer shell and the side wall of the main bucket define a
compartment therebetween. A heating element is disposed between the
outer shell and the main bucket. A power cord extends from the
watering tank and is interconnected with the heating element for
delivering electrical power thereto.
[0006] The heating element may be a foil heater, which may be
secured around lower portion of the side wall of the main bucket.
The foil heater may include an adhesive backing which secures the
foil heater to the side wall of the main bucket.
[0007] The outer shell may be formed by a second bucket having a
reduced height relative to the height of the main bucket. The side
wall of the main bucket may include a downwardly extending lip
formed at the junction of its upper and lower portions, and the
side wall of the second bucket may be configured to seat in the
downwardly extending lip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a heated water
bucket formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a heated water bucket
formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the heating element formed in
accordance with certain aspects of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating installation of a
heating element onto a main bucket in accordance with certain
aspects of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a main bucket formed in
accordance with certain aspects of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5B is a bottom elevation view of the main bucket of
FIG. 5A.
[0014] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of an outer shell formed
in accordance with certain aspects of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6B is a bottom elevation view of the outer shell of
FIG. 6A.
[0016] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the
drawings show embodiments which are presently preferred. It should
be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited
to the precise arrangements and instrumentality shown in the
attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring now to the drawings, a heated water bucket 10
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
includes main or inner bucket 12, a heating element 14 positioned
around the side wall of the main bucket, an outer shell 16 disposed
around the heating element to seal the heating element against
moisture, and a power cord 18 extending from water tank and being
interconnected with the heating element 14 for delivering
electrical power thereto.
[0018] In use, the main bucket 12 holds the water for the animals.
As such, the bucket is preferably made a plastic such as
polyethylene or polypropylene and may be formed by molding. The
main bucket 12 has a bottom wall 20 and a circular side wall 22
extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The side wall 22 has an
upper portion 24 and a reduced diameter lower portion 26. The
diameters of the upper and lower portions may be constant, or they
may gradually decrease from top to bottom (as shown) to form a
tapered side wall. The top edge of the side wall 22 includes a
smooth outwardly facing lip 28 to eliminate what would otherwise be
a relatively sharp edge. A pair of opposed handles 30 are provided
for use in moving the bucket. The side wall 22 presents a
downwardly facing radial lip 32 at the junction of its upper and
lower portions 24, 26. The lip 32 defines a radial groove 34 which
is configured to receive the upper edge of the outer shell 16, as
is explained in greater detail below.
[0019] The outer shell 16 is preferably in the form of a second (or
outer) bucket, which slides over the lower portion 26 of the main
bucket 12. It should be appreciated, however, that additional
material savings could be realized by forming the outer shell from
a partial bucket, e.g. by eliminating part of the bottom wall 40 of
the outer bucket, as is shown generally by the broken line 39 in
FIG. 6B. The outer shell has bottom wall 40 and a circular side
wall 42 extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The side wall 42
of the outer shell 16 is shorter than the side wall 22 of the inner
bucket 12, and its upper edge 44 is configured to seat within the
groove 34 of the downwardly extending lip 32 of the inner bucket.
(See FIG. 2).
[0020] The heating element 14 is mounted in the gap 48 between the
side walls 22, 42 of the inner and outer buckets 12, 16. The
heating element 14 preferably consists foil heater which is formed
by a heating coil sandwiched between two sheets of foil. The
heating element 14 is particularly well suited for this application
because it is relatively thin and provides even heat distribution.
As can best be seen in FIG. 4, the heating element 14 is installed
by wrapping it around the lower portion 26 of the side wall 22 of
the inner bucket 12. The heating element 14 may be secured in place
by adhesive. In this respect, the heating element 14 may include an
adhesive backing 48 to secure it to the bucket 12. The heating
element 14 extends along substantially the entire height of the
side wall lower portion 26 of the side wall 22.
[0021] The heating element 14 is electrically connected to the
power cord 18 through a thermostat 50 which automatically cuts off
power to the heating element when the temperature exceeds a preset
limit. The thermostat and its interconnection with the power cord
and the heating element are encased in epoxy to seal against
moisture and prevent electrical "shorts". It will be appreciated,
that the thermostat could also be located within the foil heater,
in which case it should be sleeved, e.g. in plastic, to prevent
moisture infiltration.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 2, 5A and 5B, the inner bucket at least
one support leg 52 extending downwardly from its bottom wall. The
leg 52 engages against the bottom wall 40 of the outer bucket 16 so
as to space the bottom wall 20 of the inner bucket 12 from the
bottom wall 40 of the outer bucket 16 and to support the bottom
wall 20 of the inner bucket 12 against downward deflection.
Preferably the inner bucket 12 includes a pair of radial flanges 54
extending downwardly from the bottom wall 20 for this purpose. The
bottom wall further defines a potting box 56 which houses the
thermostat 50. Potting compound is injected into the box 50 during
manufacture to seal the thermostat 50 against moisture. The power
cord 18 extends from the potting box and out through a slot or
opening formed in the outer bucket 16.
[0023] The water bucket 10 is assembled in the following manner.
First, the heating element 14 is wrapped around the lower portion
26 of the inner bucket 12. This is done by initially aligning the
power end of the heating element with the potting box 56. As the
heating element 14 is wrapped around the inner bucket 12, its
adhesive backing secures it to the bucket. The thermostat 50 is
then positioned in the potting box 56 and sealed with potting
material. After the potting material has cured, the power cord 18
is routed through the slot 60 in the outer bucket 16 and the outer
bucket 16 is slid into place over the lower portion 26 of the inner
bucket 12. The upper edge of the outer bucket's side wall 42 seats
within the lip 32 formed on the side wall 22 of the inner bucket.
This interconnection seals against moisture infiltration and
prevents the side walls 22, 42 from deflecting relative to one
another. The inner and outer buckets 12, 16 are secured together by
a plurality of threaded fasteners 62 which extend through holes 64
formed in the bottom wall 40 of the outer bucket and thread into
bosses 66 which extend from the bottom wall 20 of the inner bucket.
It will be appreciated that the buckets 12, 16 could be joined by
other means such as adhesive or sonic welding.
[0024] A watering bucket constructed in accordance with the above
described embodiment provides several advantages. First it simple
design makes it easy and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
Because the heating element is sealed within the water tank, it is
less susceptible to failure from wear than immersable heaters.
Additionally, animals cannot pull the heating element out of the
tank, as is possible with immersable heaters. The heating element
cannot. Making the outer bucket shorter than the inner bucket
results in significant cost and material savings in comparison to
the prior design that used two identical buckets. This is
particularly true for larger volume buckets, such as 16 gallon 20
gallon capacity tanks.
* * * * *