Water container with manual dispensing valve

Abstract

A water container with a manual dispensing valve. A water dispenser (1), the water dispenser (1) comprising: a container (5) having an outlet channel (15) at a bottom (3) thereof; and a manually operated valve device (14) having a valve member (19) that is resiliently pre-stressed towards the closed state.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the original invention patent application number 202180037487.9 (international application number: PCT / EP2021 / 057840, application date: March 25, 2021, invention name: water container with manual dispensing valve). Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a water dispenser having a manually operable switching valve with a valve member which is elastically prestressed toward a closed state. Background Art

[0003] Water dispensers are equipped with various valve arrangements, including faucets in which the valve rotates and prestressed switching valves. An example of a switching valve is disclosed in US Pat. No. 8,448,564, in which a valve member is disposed in a bottom cavity of a water container. A lever activates a handle extending into the outlet passage of the valve arrangement, so that switching the lever moves the valve member at the end of the handle, opening the outlet passage within the valve arrangement.

[0004] For many dispensers, the structure of the valve device is relatively complex, which increases the production cost. For example, in the above-mentioned example US8448564, the valve device is inserted into the side wall of the container, and in addition to the seal between the valve member and the valve seat inside the valve device, a seal between the container and the valve device is also required.

[0005] It is desirable to provide a water dispenser having a valve arrangement that is simple in construction and has few parts. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object is to provide an improvement over the prior art. In particular, the object is to provide a valve device and a water dispenser having such a valve device, which valve device has a high degree of simplicity and high reliability. This is achieved with a water dispenser and a valve device as described below and with a water dispenser as defined in the claims.

[0007] A water dispenser comprises a container for holding water for dispensing from the container.One use of such a dispenser is to dispense water after it has been cooled in a refrigerator in which the dispenser is placed.

[0008] Although in principle the container may be formed to resemble a sphere, the container will generally have a well-defined top, side walls and bottom defining an interior volume of the container for holding water. For example, the dispenser stands on the bottom when in use.

[0009] The container includes an outlet channel at the bottom of the container for dispensing water from the interior volume through the outlet channel. The outlet channel has an upstream end in the interior volume inside the container for receiving water from the interior volume, and a downstream end at the outside of the container for dispensing water from the container.

[0010] In some embodiments, the bottom and sidewall or sidewalls of the container are molded into one piece of plastic. A suitable material is polycarbonate, which also allows the container to be molded from a solid and highly transparent material. However, other materials, such as polyolefins, are also possible candidates for molding.

[0011] For example, the outlet channel and the side wall or one of the side walls (if the container has multiple side walls) of the container are molded in one piece of plastic, which is advantageous because no gasket is required between the outlet channel and the container wall. Similar advantages can be achieved if the outlet channel is molded in one piece with the bottom of the container and extends through the bottom.

[0012] In contrast, the above disclosure in US Pat. No. 8,448,564 requires a seal between the container and a valve arrangement inserted through an opening in the container wall.

[0013] The water dispenser includes a manually operable valve arrangement such that manual interaction causes the valve arrangement to be opened for dispensing water. The valve arrangement is further arranged to switch between a closed state and an open state, typically such that the valve member is elastically prestressed toward the closed state and manual force is required to counteract the elastically prestressed closed state in order to switch toward the open state.

[0014] In practical embodiments, the valve member is provided at the upstream or downstream end of the outlet passage. The valve arrangement is further arranged to switch between a closed state, in which the upstream or downstream end of the outlet passage is blocked by the valve member, and an open state, in which the valve member is removed from its blocked state to dispense water from the interior volume through the outlet passage. In these embodiments, the outlet passage also forms a valve seat for the valve member, which is advantageous in minimizing the number of components of the dispenser, thereby reducing complexity and production costs.

[0015] Typically, the manual pressing or pulling action for switching the valve is away from the valve member. For example, a manually operated valve arrangement comprises an articulated lever that is arranged to manually push or pull the lever against a prestress to change the valve member from a closed state to an open state.

[0016] In some practical embodiments, a manual push or pull action is performed on the first end of the lever to move the valve member by the second end, wherein the hinge of the lever is located between the first end and the second end. In some embodiments, the lever is arranged vertically and is hinged horizontally so that manual force is required to push or pull the lever at the first end of the lever, which is arranged above the outlet channel. Alternatively, the lever is hinged in a direction different from the horizontal, such as vertically hinged, and the corresponding manual action of the lever is located at a certain side of the outlet channel away from the outlet channel. Preferably, the position for the manual action is not below the outlet channel, so as to provide convenience for distribution from the outlet channel.

[0017] Optionally, the outlet channel is substantially horizontal and has a substantially horizontal flow direction. Another useful embodiment has been found to be providing a small platform directly below the outlet channel so that, when the valve device is in the open state, water flows downward from the outlet channel onto the platform and is dispensed from the platform to the user for consumption. This platform achieves a smoother flow of water, which is user-friendly. For example, the platform can be provided on the outside of the dispenser sidewall and extend further from the sidewall than the outlet channel, so that water flows onto the platform even when there is slight pressure from the water in the outlet channel.

[0018] Optionally, a frame is provided on the sidewall of the dispenser and surrounding the outlet channel. For example, the lever is hingedly mounted in the frame. In a useful embodiment, the frame includes a platform that is an integral part of the frame, for example, the frame and the platform are molded in one piece. Alternatively, the sidewall of the container and the frame are molded in one piece of plastic, such that the platform is also molded in one piece with the sidewall.

[0019] In some embodiments, the frame includes two opposing side portions disposed on opposite sides of the outlet passage. Here, opposing sides refer to the right and left sides of the outlet passage when the dispenser is in an operational orientation for dispensing water. In some of these embodiments, the lever is horizontally hinged in the side portions, and the lever is oriented substantially vertically so as to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation defined by the hinge.

[0020] For example, the frame comprises a profile which is located above the outlet channel and which extends outwardly from the side walls and from one of the side portions to the other, thus extending, for example, from left to right in a concavely downwardly curved manner. The profile is configured and arranged to prevent water from flowing upwardly along the side walls and / or the frame during dispensing of water from the outlet channel and to direct water downwardly from the outlet channel for dispensing, for example onto a platform if such a platform is provided.

[0021] Various embodiments of the valve member are possible. In some embodiments, the valve member is molded from an elastomeric polymer and is sufficiently elastic and soft to provide good fastening capability by the valve member against the end of the outlet channel without the need for additional gaskets such as O-rings. For example, the valve member is made of silicone. In a practical embodiment, the valve member includes a resilient central portion that blocks the downstream end of the outlet channel when closed. Optionally, the valve member also has an upper portion above the central portion, advantageously a curved upper portion, wherein the upper portion extends from the valve member toward the sidewalls and thereby forms a top plate above the downstream end of the outlet channel, which is used to prevent water from flowing upward along the valve member during water distribution from the outlet channel and to guide the water downward for distribution. Optionally, the upper portion of the valve member is combined with the above-mentioned profile located between the sides of the frame, wherein both the profile and the upper portion of the valve member are located above the outlet channel and form a double top plate system. In this case, the two top plates assist each other in preventing water from flowing upward. For example, an upper portion of the valve member (eg a curved upper portion) is located between the outlet channel and the profile.

[0022] In some practical embodiments, the valve member is fastened to a lever. In such embodiments, it is useful if a spring is arranged to act on the lever so as to cause the lever to elastically prestress the valve member. The valve arrangement is then arranged to be opened by manual force, which acts on the lever and counteracts the prestress acting on the lever and, therefore, also on the valve member.

[0023] If the dispenser is used to filter water, this is optionally achieved using an insert, such as a top insert, that is inserted into the container, wherein the insert includes a receptacle for the water to be filtered and a water filter compartment for the water filter. The insert is then arranged to receive the water to be filtered in the receptacle and pass the water through the water filter for filtration and into the reservoir by gravity.

[0024] For coarse filtration of the water from the receptacle, a pre-filter is used to capture debris. For fine filtration, the water filter includes at least one fine filter for filtering microorganisms. For example, the pre-filter limit is in the range of 150 to 10 microns, typically 10 microns.

[0025] Optionally, the fine filter comprises a plurality of hollow fiber microfiltration and / or ultrafiltration membranes. Alternatively, the filter element comprises a roll of pleated microporous material having microfiltration or ultrafiltration properties. Recall that ultrafiltration filters have pores that filter particles down to a minimum size, such as a minimum size in the range of 0.001 to 0.01 microns, while microfiltration filters have pores that filter particles down to a minimum size of approximately 0.1 microns.

[0026] For example, the fine filter is configured to filter microorganisms having a size below a predetermined water filter limit, wherein the predetermined water filter limit is in the range of 0.01 to 0.5 microns, optionally in the range of 0.05 to 0.2 microns. To ensure a high flow rate of water through the filtration system, microfiltration preferably filters particles down to a size of 0.1 microns.

[0027] Advantageously, bacteria are reduced by 99.9999% (log 6). Alternatively, viruses are reduced by 99.99% (log 4). Alternatively, protozoa and parasites are reduced by 99.9% (log 3). Advantageously, all three criteria are met. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1A A water dispenser is shown;

[0030] Figure 1B A top insert for a dispenser is shown;

[0031] Figure 2A The front of the molded container is shown;

[0032] Figure 2B The frame on the front is shown with the mounted lever and valve members;

[0033] Figure 2C is a cross-sectional view of the lever mounting;

[0034] Figure 2D is a front view of the valve member;

[0035] Figure 2E The installation principle of the valve member is shown;

[0036] Figure 2F The valve member is shown from the rear;

[0037] Figure 2G A jacket for the frame is shown;

[0038] Figure 2H is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment;

[0039] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of the principle of a first embodiment of the valve device;

[0040] Figure 3B is a slightly modified schematic diagram of the first embodiment;

[0041] Figure 3C This is a schematic diagram of a further slightly modified version of the first embodiment;

[0042] Figure 3D Shows that in addition to Figure 3A Another alternative feature other than the feature in;

[0043] Figure 3E An alternative embodiment is shown;

[0044] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of the principle of a second embodiment of the valve device;

[0045] Figure 4B is a slightly modified schematic diagram of the second embodiment;

[0046] Figure 4C is a schematic diagram of a further modification of the second embodiment;

[0047] Figure 5 Another embodiment of a lever is shown;

[0048] Figure 6 A non-integrated valve arrangement is shown;

[0049] Figure 7 An alternative non-integrated valve arrangement is shown;

[0050] Figure 8 Another alternative non-integrated valve arrangement is shown;

[0051] Figure 9A A first installation principle of a non-integrated valve arrangement is shown;

[0052] Figure 9B A second installation principle for a non-integrated valve arrangement is shown;

[0053] Figure 10A Shown are individual valves in the water channel;

[0054] Figure 10B Shown Figure 10A A slight modification of the implementation method;

[0055] Figure 10C Shown for Figure 10A and Figure 10B Embodiment of the lever device.

[0056] Reference numerals

[0057] 1 Distributor

[0058] 2 Top of container 5

[0059] 3 Bottom of container 5

[0060] 4 Side wall of container 5

[0061] 4' front sidewall

[0062] 5 Containers

[0063] 6 Internal volume of container 5

[0064] 7 Top insert

[0065] 8 Water Filter

[0066] 9 filter compartments

[0067] 10 Sewage receptacle

[0068] 11 Filter outlet

[0069] 12 clean water tank

[0070] 13 Water outlet

[0071] 14 Valve assembly

[0072] 15 Exit Channel

[0073] Upstream end of 15A channel

[0074] Downstream end of channel 15B

[0075] 16 Platform

[0076] 17 Pre-molded frames

[0077] 17A Snap-on protrusion of frame 17 (optional)

[0078] 17B Upper edge of frame 17 for manual operation of valve

[0079] 17C pre-molded opening in frame 17 for mating with protrusion 21C

[0080] 18 Profile above channel

[0081] 19 Valve component

[0082] 19A Cylindrical portion of valve member 19

[0083] 19B Spherical washer portion of valve member 19

[0084] 19C Recess of valve member 19

[0085] 20 Leverage

[0086] 20A First end of lever 20

[0087] 20B Second end of lever 20

[0088] 20C Integrated spring in lever 20

[0089] 20D Central joint of lever 20

[0090] 21 hinge profile of lever 20

[0091] 21A hinge profile edge

[0092] 21B hinge profile arm

[0093] 21C Hinge profile protrusion

[0094] 22 Helical coil spring

[0095] 23 is a protrusion for forming a snap retainer in cooperation with the edge 21A of the hinge

[0096] 24 magnets

[0097] 25 Retainer for valve member 19

[0098] 25A top protrusion of the retainer 25

[0099] 26 Arrow showing manual push action

[0100] 27 Arrows showing water flow

[0101] 28 Holding Points

[0102] 28A dead point line

[0103] 29 frame 18 jacket

[0104] 29A Slit in jacket 29 to facilitate installation

[0105] The upper edge of the 29B jacket is designed to be pressed manually

[0106] 30 retaining spring

[0107] 31 Valve handle

[0108] 32 valve insertion unit

[0109] 33 Gasket between valve insert unit 32 and front side wall 4'

[0110] 34 separation valve

[0111] 34A O-ring of separation valve 34

[0112] 34B valve spring

[0113] 34C valve head of valve 34 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0114] Figure 1AThere is shown a dispenser 1 having a top 2 including a lid 2' and a bottom 3 standing thereon in use, and side walls 4 which together define a container 5 having an interior volume 6 for water.

[0115] The dispenser 1 comprises a top insert 7 which is Figure 1B , shown in more detail in FIG. The top insert 7 is optional and is useful when filtering water before consumption, as it includes a water filter 8 for filtering the water inside the filter compartment 9. When such a top insert 7 is used with the dispenser 1, water is filled into the upper sewage receptacle 10, from which the sewage to be filtered enters the filter compartment 9 and the filter 8, ultimately exiting the filter compartment 9 as filtered water through a filter outlet 11 at the bottom of the filter compartment 9, from which the water flows into the clean water tank 12 of the container 5. From the clean water tank 12, water is dispensed through a water outlet 13, typically arranged at the bottom 3 of the clean water tank 12, so that the clean water tank 12 can be completely emptied through the water outlet 13. The water outlet 13 is covered by a valve arrangement 14.

[0116] In the embodiment shown, the dispenser 1 is sized and formed to fit into a refrigerator for cooling water before dispensing it through the water outlet 13 .

[0117] like Figure 1A As shown, the bottom 3 and side wall 4 of the container 5 are advantageously formed as a single piece molded from a polymer (for example a transparent polymer to allow a user to observe the water level in the container 5).

[0118] Figure 2A The front portion of the container 5 is shown to include a frame 17 integrally molded with the frontmost sidewall 4'. Frame 17 extends outward from the frontmost sidewall 4' and forms a mechanical base for retaining valve assembly 14. Valve assembly 14 switches between closing and opening outlet channel 15 of water outlet 13. When water exits the container 5 through outlet channel 15, it falls onto a platform 16, such as a curved platform as shown, which is arranged below outlet channel 15 and extends further from the frontmost sidewall 4' than outlet channel 15. Water is dispensed from platform 16 to a user. Platform 16 is shown as part of frame 17, thereby maintaining a simple structure and providing high mechanical stability.

[0119] Above the outlet channel 15 there is provided a profile 18 which acts as a roof above the outlet channel 15 for preventing water from flowing upwards and for directing water downwards towards the platform 16. The profile 18 extends between opposite sides of the frame 17.

[0120] Figure 2BThe valve arrangement 14 is shown mounted to a frame 17 wherein the walls of the container 5 and the frame 17 are moulded from a transparent polymer material. The valve arrangement 14 is of simple construction and comprises only three components, namely a lever 20, a valve member 19 and a coil spring 22 in the embodiment shown.

[0121] The lever 20 comprises a hinge profile 21 on either longitudinal side of the lever 20. The hinge profile 21 comprises a protrusion 21C which cooperates with a corresponding opening 17A in the frame 17 to allow for rotational movement of the hinge profile 21 about an axis extending through the openings 17A on either side of the frame 17. To mount the lever 20, the hinge profiles 21 are slightly pressed towards each other so that the hinge profiles 21 with the protrusions 21C fit into the space defined by the sides of the frame 17 and the protrusions 21C snap into the cooperating openings 17C.

[0122] When the first (upper) end (20A) of the lever 20 is pressed inwardly by a finger against the prestress of the spring 22, the second (lower) end (20B) moves outwardly away from the container 5 and the valve member 19 will be lifted away from the downstream end 15B of the passage 15 and open to allow water to flow through the outlet passage 15 and down onto the platform 16 where it is received by the user for consumption.

[0123] Figure 2C A cross-section through the frame 17 and lever 20, as well as the spring 22 and valve member 19, is shown. This figure shows not only that the profile 18 forming the roof above the outlet channel 15 prevents water from flowing upwards along the lever 20, but also that the valve member 19 with its upper cylindrical portion 19A covers the area above the outlet channel and captures the water and directs it downwards to the platform 16. In the centre, the spherical elastic portion 19B forms a gasket against the downstream end 15B of the outlet channel 15.

[0124] Figure 2D A perspective view of the valve member 19 is shown showing a cylindrical portion 19A extending over an angular span in the range 180° to 270°, which is sufficient to act as a good barrier to water flowing upwards.

[0125] Figure 2E and Figure 2F The valve member 19 and its mounting are shown in a detailed image. The valve member 19 includes a recess 19C that mates with a corresponding protrusion 25A on a retainer 25, and the resilient valve member 19 is mounted on the retainer by pressing the resilient elastomeric valve member 19 against the cylindrical edge of the retainer 25. The mating of the recess 19C and the retainer protrusion 25A ensures that the valve member 19 is mounted in the correct orientation.

[0126] Figure 2GThe cover 19 is shown for the frame 17, with the cover 29 pushed onto the frame 17 and held in place. Slits 29A in the cover 29 make installation easy.

[0127] Figure 2H A cover 29 is shown which includes an edge 29B at its upper side to make it easier for the user to operate the valve arrangement 14. Thus, the user places one or two fingers behind the upper edge 29B and presses the first end (20A) of the lever 20 with the thumb.

[0128] Figure 3A A first principle of a valve device 14 is shown, in which, instead of an upper edge 29B of a housing 29, such an edge 17B is integrated into the frame 17 itself for ease of operation. The valve device 14 comprises a valve member 19 fastened to the second end of a lever 20, which has a hinge profile 21 and is prestressed into its closed position by a helical coil spring 22. In this embodiment, the valve member 19 closes the downstream end 15B of the outlet channel 15. To keep the valve member 19 prestressed against the downstream end 15B of the outlet channel 15, a spring 22 is located between the hinge profile 21 and the first end (20A) of the lever 20 and is compressed to exert a force on the first end (20A) of the lever 20 through the expansion of the spring 22. The expansion force of the spring presses the valve member 19 against the downstream end 15B of the outlet channel 15.

[0129] Figure 3B Shown Figure 3A The first principle of operation of the valve device 14 is that the upper (first) end (20A) of the lever 20 is manually pushed with a finger (such as a thumb), removing the valve member 19 from the downstream end 15B of the outlet channel 15, so that water can flow unimpeded through the outlet channel 15 and downwardly onto the platform 16, as shown by arrow 27.

[0130] Figure 3B Shows the Figure 3A , namely, a protrusion 17C on the frame 17, wherein when the second end (20B) of the lever 20 is resiliently pressed under the protrusion 23 by manual force, the protrusion 17C cooperates with the first end (20A) of the lever 20 to form a snap retainer, and wherein the protrusion 23 holds the lever 20 in the valve-open orientation because the force of the spring 22 is insufficient to return the lever 20 over the protrusion 23. In order to close the valve device 14 again, an additional manual pressing of the first end (20B) of the lever 20 must be performed.

[0131] Figure 3C Shown Figure 3BAn alternative to the embodiment in which a magnet 24 is used as a replacement for the protrusion 23 and in which the magnetic force is strong enough to counteract the force of the spring 22 and hold the lever 20 in place when the first end (20A) of the lever 20 is attached to the magnet 24.

[0132] Figure 3D Shows that in addition to Figure 3A Another alternative feature to the features in FIG, is a snap retainer 23 at the hinge profile 21. When the lever 20 is operated by a manual thrust acting on the first end (20A) of the lever 20, the edge 21A of the hinge profile 21 moves past the protrusion 23, which, due to the deformation force, holds the lever 20 in place until a manual counter thrust acting on the second end (20B) of the lever 20 brings the lever 20 into the closed state orientation, in which the valve member 19 at the end of the handle 25 again closes the downstream end 15B of the outlet channel 15.

[0133] Figure 3E An alternative embodiment is shown in which a spring 30 connects the holding point 28 on the frontmost side wall 4' of the container 5 to the angled arm 21B of the hinge profile 21 in the toggle joint configuration. In the open configuration, as shown, the holding spring 30 is compressed and exerts an expansion thrust to hold the lever 20 in the open state of the valve arrangement. During manual push of the second end (20B) of the lever 20, the holding spring 30 is first further compressed until the spring 30, in its upward movement, passes the dead center line 28A, after which the spring 30 expands again during further manual push of the second end (20A) of the lever 20, after which the holding spring 30 then holds the lever 20 in an orientation in which the lever holds the valve arrangement 14 in the closed state.

[0134] Figure 4A A second principle of valve device 14 is shown. In this case, valve device 14 comprises a valve member 19 connected to the end of a handle 31, one end of which is attached to a second end (20B) of a lever 20, which, in this embodiment, is also hinged in a hinge profile 21 and prestressed by a helical coil spring 22 into its closed position, in which the valve member 19 closes the outlet channel 15. However, unlike Figure 3A In contrast to the embodiment of the present invention, the valve member closes the upstream end 15A of the outlet channel 15. In order to keep the valve member 19 prestressed against the upstream end 15A of the outlet channel 15, the spring 22 is located between the hinge profile 21 and the second end (20B) of the lever 20 and is compressed so as to exert a force on the second end (20B) of the lever 20 by extension of the spring.

[0135] Figure 4B Shows that in addition to Figure 4A, namely a snap retainer 26 at the hinge profile 21. When the lever 20 is operated by manual pulling force, the edge 21A of the hinge profile 21 moves past the protrusion 23, which, due to the deformation force, holds the lever 20 in place until a manual counter-thrust force at the first end (20A) of the lever 20 brings the lever 20 into the closed state orientation in which the valve member 19 at the end of the handle 25 closes the upstream end 15A of the outlet channel 15 again.

[0136] Figure 4C An alternative embodiment is shown in which a spring 30 connects a retaining point 28 on the frontmost sidewall 4' of the container 5 to an angled arm 21B of the hinge 21 in a toggle joint configuration. The retaining spring 30 is compressed when the lever 20 holds the valve arrangement 14 in the closed state. During manual pulling of the first end (20A) of the lever 20, the retaining spring 30 is initially compressed until the spring passes the dead center line 28A. Thereafter, during further manual pulling of the first end (20A) of the lever 20, the spring 30 expands, so that the retaining spring 30 then holds the lever 20 in an orientation in which the prestressed lever 20 holds the valve arrangement 14 in the open state. Manual force is required at the first end (20A) of the lever 20 to bring the lever 20 into an orientation in which it holds the valve arrangement 14 in the closed state.

[0137] Figure 5 An alternative embodiment of the lever 20 is shown in which a leaf spring 20C is integrated as part of the material of the lever 20. The leaf spring 20C has a similar function to the helical coil spring 22 described above.

[0138] In the example described above, the lever 20 is held inside the frame 17 by its hinge profile 21. Figure 6 In the example of FIG, the valve member 19 and the lever 20 are integrated in a valve insert unit 33, which is mounted (e.g., pressed) into the frame 17. In order to make the connection between the outlet channel 15 and the valve insert unit 32 watertight, a gasket is used between the downstream end 15B of the outlet channel 15 and the valve insert unit 32.

[0139] Figure 7 Also shown is a valve insert unit 32, which is similar to Figure 4A The lever and valve principle.

[0140] Figure 8 A valve insert unit 32 using a different principle of lever action is shown, wherein the lever 20 has a central joint 20D and two hinge profiles 21 on either longitudinal edge of the lever 20. Pulling at the first end 21A of the lever 20 causes movement of the second end (20B) in the same direction.

[0141] Figure 9A and Figure 9B The installation principle of the valve insert unit 32 is shown. Figure 9A In the embodiment, the valve insert unit 32 is pushed into the frame 17 in the transverse direction, while Figure 9B In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the valve insert unit 32 is pushed into the frame 17 in a direction parallel to the frontmost side wall 4 ′. However, the latter requires a slight modification of the frame 17 compared to the above-described embodiment.

[0142] Figure 10A An enlarged view of the valve 34 mounted in the frontmost side wall 4' is shown. The valve 34 comprises a valve handle 31 around which is disposed an O-ring 34A for sealing the upstream end 15A of the outlet passage 15. Pressing the valve head 34C of the valve 34 causes the O-ring 34A to move into the container 5 and away from the upstream end 15A of the outlet passage 15, allowing water to flow through the outlet passage 15. The O-ring 34A cooperates with the handle 31 to cover the inlet to the outlet passage 15 at its upstream end 15A and thereby constitutes a shut-off valve member 19 which functions similarly to the above description of the shut-off valve member. Figures 2A to 2H The role discussed.

[0143] Figure 10B A slightly different valve arrangement is shown, in which the valve is closer to the bottom 3 of the container 5 in order to ensure that substantially all of the water can be emptied through the valve 34 .

[0144] Figure 10C Shown can be used to push inward Figure 10A The valve head 34C of the valve is connected to the lever 20. Note that for simplicity, the valve itself is not shown in the figure. Figure 10C As shown, however, the lever can be used Figure 10A and Figure 10B Two valve devices.

Claims

1. A water dispenser (1), comprising a container (5) for holding water for dispensing, the container (5) having a top (2), side walls (4) and a bottom (3) defining an interior volume; the container (5) comprising an outlet channel (15) at the bottom (3) of the container (5) for dispensing water from the interior volume (6) through the outlet channel (15), the outlet channel (15) having an upstream end (15A) located in the interior volume (6) inside the container (5) and a downstream end (15B) located outside the container (5), in, The water dispenser (1) comprises a manually operated valve device (14) having a valve member (19) located at an upstream end (15A) or a downstream end (15B) of the outlet passage (15), the valve device (14) being arranged to switch between a closed state, in which the upstream end (15A) or the downstream end (15B) of the outlet passage (15) is blocked by the valve member (19), and an open state, in which the valve member (19) is removed from its blocked state to dispense water from the internal volume (6) through the outlet passage (15), wherein the valve member (19) is prestressed toward a closed state by elastic prestress; wherein the manually operated valve device (14) comprises an articulated lever (20) arranged to be manually pushed or pulled so as to move the valve member (19) against the prestress by the lever, thereby changing the valve member (19) from the closed state to the open state, Among them, at least one of A and B, A: The dispenser comprises a frame (17) and the side wall (4) surrounding the outlet channel (15), the lever (20) being hinged inside the frame, and the frame (17) comprising a A portion of the platform (16), wherein the side wall (4) and the frame (17) of the container (5) being molded in one piece from plastic, wherein the frame (17) comprises two side portions arranged on opposite sides of the outlet channel (15), wherein the lever (20) is hinged in the side portions along a horizontal axis, wherein the lever (20) is oriented substantially vertically, wherein the frame (17) comprises a profile (18) located above the outlet channel and extending outwardly from the side wall (4) and from one of the side portions to the other, the profile being arranged to prevent water from flowing upwards along the side wall (4) and / or the frame (17) during dispensing of water from the outlet channel (15) and to direct water downwards from the outlet channel (15) for dispensing; B: The valve member (19) comprises a resilient central portion (19B) that blocks the downstream end (15B) of the outlet channel (15) in the closed state, and an upper portion located above the central portion, wherein the upper portion (19A) extends from the valve member (19) toward the side wall (4) and forms a top plate above the downstream end (15B) of the outlet channel (15) to prevent water from flowing upward along the valve member (19) during dispensing of water from the outlet channel (15) and to guide the water downward for dispensing.

2. The water dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein The lever (20) has a first lever end (20A) and a second lever end (20B), wherein the lever (20) is hinged by a hinge profile (21) arranged between the first lever end (20A) and the second lever end (20B), wherein the second lever end (20B) is arranged to push or pull the valve member (19) from its prestressed closed position to the open position after manual pressing or pulling on the first end of the lever (20).

3. The water dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein In B, the upper portion (19A) of the valve member (19) is located between the outlet channel (15) and the profile (18).

4. The water dispenser (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The valve member (19) is fastened to the lever (20), and wherein a spring (22) is arranged to act on the lever (20) so that the lever (20) provides an elastic prestress to the valve member (19), and wherein the valve device (14) is arranged to be opened by a manual force acting on the lever (20) and counteracting the prestress on the valve member (19).

5. The water dispenser (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The dispenser (5) comprises a top insert (7) inserted into the container (5) from the top (2) of the container, the top insert (7) comprising a receptacle (10) for water to be filtered and a water filter compartment (9) for a water filter (8); the top insert (7) is arranged to receive the water to be filtered into the receptacle (10) and to filter the water through the water filter (8) and into the reservoir (6) by gravity.

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