Filter of water feeder for pet

Abstract

To provide a filter of a water feeder for a pet, which can improve a water quality improvement effect.SOLUTION: A filter 1 of a water feeder for a pet comprises a water quality improvement material 2 for improving water quality, and a nonwoven fabric tray 3 that has a storage chamber 35 for storing the water quality improvement material 2. A bottom wall 31 of the tray 3 forming the storage chamber 35 has a first region 311, and a second region 312 adjacent to the first region 311. The second region 312 is provided with a high-density body 313 higher in fiber density than the first region 311.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a filter attachable to a water supply device for pets.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a filter for a pet water supply device including a non-woven tray having an accommodation chamber filled with a water quality improving material, and a non-woven tray lid connected to the tray to seal the accommodation chamber. Since such a filter has a tray made of non-woven fabric, its water permeability is very high. Therefore, it is difficult for water to accumulate in the accommodation chamber, resulting in a short contact time between water and the water quality improving material, and a low water quality improvement effect by the filter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a filter for a pet water supply device capable of improving the water quality improvement effect.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The filter for a pet water supply device of the present disclosure includes a water quality improving material for improving water quality, and a non-woven tray having an accommodation chamber for accommodating the water quality improving material. The bottom wall of the tray forming the accommodation chamber includes a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region, and a high-density body having a higher fiber density than the first region is provided in the second region.

[0006] According to such a configuration, a first region that allows water to pass through easily and a second region that allows water to pass through with difficulty can be provided on the bottom wall. By passing water from above the second region, a flow of water from the second region to the first region is generated, and water is likely to accumulate in the accommodation chamber. As a result, the contact time between water and the water quality improving material increases, and the water quality improving effect of the filter of the pet water feeder can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] [Pet Water Feeder] First, the pet water feeder 100 to which the filter 1 of the pet water feeder according to an embodiment (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "filter 1") is attached will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In each figure (similarly for FIGS. 3 to 5), the dimensional ratio in the drawing does not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratio, and the dimensional ratios between the drawings do not necessarily match either.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the state in which the filter 1 is attached to the pet water feeder 100, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the filter 1 is attached to the pet water feeder 100.

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the water feeder 100 for pets is preferably used for pets such as dogs and cats. The water feeder 100 for pets includes, for example, a water storage tank 11, a support frame 12, a top funnel 13, and a filter 1 (see FIG. 2).

[0011] The water storage tank 11 has watertightness so that drinking water for pets can be stored inside, and is constituted by a container with an open upper end. The water storage tank 11 is formed, for example, in an elliptical shape in plan view.

[0012] The support frame 12 is detachably attached to the upper end opening of the water storage tank 11. The support frame 12 is formed in a substantially concave spherical shape or a substantially bowl shape. As shown in FIG. 2, a filter installation portion 121 having a circular shape in plan view is provided at the central portion of the support frame 12. A cylindrical portion 122 for attaching the top funnel 13 is provided at the central portion of the filter installation portion 121. A plurality of water passing openings (not shown) are provided in the bottom wall 123 of the support frame 12.

[0013] The top funnel 13 includes a water drinking portion 131 having a circular shape in plan view formed in an umbrella shape or a mountain shape, and a water supply pipe 132 extending downward from the upper end portion of the water drinking portion 131. The upper end of the water supply pipe 132 opens at the upper end portion of the water drinking portion 131. The water supply pipe 132 is detachably attached to the cylindrical portion 122 of the support frame 12. As a result, the water drinking portion 131 of the top funnel 13 covers the upper side of the filter 1.

[0014] The pet water feeder 100 is equipped with a circulation pump (not shown) housed in the water storage tank 11. The outlet of the circulation pump is connected to the lower end of the water supply pipe 132 of the top funnel 13. As a result, it is possible to supply the water stored in the water storage tank 11 for the pet's drinking water to the water drinking section 131 via the water supply pipe 132. The water supplied to the water drinking section 131 flows down along the water drinking section 131 while diffusing in the outer peripheral direction due to its own weight, and flows out and drops outside from the outer peripheral edge of the water drinking section 131. The water flowing out from the water drinking section 131 passes through the filter 1 and returns to the water storage tank 11. As described above, the pet water feeder 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a circulation type water feeder.

[0015] [Filter of Pet Water Feeder] Next, the filter 1 of the pet water feeder will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the filter 1 is configured to be installable (mountable) on the filter installation portion 121. In the present embodiment, the filter 1 is formed in an annular shape in plan view. The central hole 10 of the filter 1 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 122 when installed on the filter installation portion 121. That is, the water supply pipe 132 is attached to the cylindrical portion 122 in a state of being inserted through the central hole 10 of the filter 1. Note that the filter 1 is not limited to the above, and for example, in plan view, it may be formed in a polygonal shape such as a semi-circular shape, a circular shape, a semi-annular shape, an angular annular shape, or a square shape. The same applies to the tray 3 and the tray lid 4 described later.

[0017] When replacing the filter 1, after removing the top funnel 13 to expose the filter 1, the filter 1 is taken out from the filter installation portion 121 of the support frame 12, a new filter 1 is housed in the filter installation portion 121, and the top funnel 13 is attached.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the filter 1, FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the filter 1, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 3.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the filter 1 includes a water quality improving material 2 (also referred to as a filtering material 2) for improving water quality, and a tray 3 made of non-woven fabric having a storage chamber 35 in which the water quality improving material 2 is stored. By forming the tray 3 of non-woven fabric, the manufacturing cost of the filter 1 can be suppressed as compared with the case where the tray 3 is formed of resin. The filter 1 preferably includes a tray lid 4 made of non-woven fabric that covers the upper end opening 36 (see FIG. 5) of the tray 3.

[0020] The water quality improving material 2 may be any material that can improve water quality. Examples of the water quality improving material 2 include activated carbon, ion exchange resin, zeolite, and the like. The water quality improving material 2 is preferably stored in a storage bag (not shown) made of non-woven fabric different from the tray 3 and the tray lid 4. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the water quality improving material 2 from flowing down from the tray 3. In addition, it becomes easy to store the water quality improving material 2 in the storage chamber 35 of the tray 3. Note that the water quality improving material 2 is not limited to the above, and may be directly stored in the storage chamber 35.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the tray 3 is formed in an annular shape in plan view with a circular central hole 30 formed therein. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tray 3 includes a bottom wall 31, an outer peripheral wall 32 and an inner peripheral wall 33 that rise upward from the bottom wall 31. The outer peripheral wall 32 continuously extends along the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 31, and the inner peripheral wall 33 extends along the inner peripheral edge of the bottom wall 31 so as to surround the central hole 30.

[0022] The tray 3 preferably includes a partition wall 34 that partitions the space formed by the bottom wall 31, the outer peripheral wall 32, and the inner peripheral wall 33 into a plurality of spaces (the storage chamber 35 (see FIG. 5)). The partition wall 34 rises upward from the bottom wall 31. The partition wall 34 extends from the inner peripheral wall 33 to the outer peripheral wall 32 along the tray radial direction RD.

[0023] In this embodiment, the partition wall 34 divides the space formed by the bottom wall 31, the outer peripheral wall 32, and the inner peripheral wall 33 into four spaces (accommodation chambers 35). Further, each space (accommodation chamber 35) is partitioned by two partition walls 34 (a total of eight partition walls 34). There is no bottom wall 31 between the partition wall 34 forming one accommodation chamber 35 and the partition wall 34 forming another accommodation chamber 35. Note that the partition wall 34 is not limited to the above. Further, the tray 3 may be configured not to include the partition wall 34.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, the water quality improving material 2 is accommodated in each accommodation chamber 35. The water quality improving materials 2 accommodated in each accommodation chamber 35 may be different from each other or the same. Further, a plurality of water quality improving materials 2 may be accommodated in one accommodation chamber 35.

[0025] The upper end opening 36 is formed by the outer peripheral wall 32, the inner peripheral wall 33, and the partition wall 34. The upper end surfaces of the walls 32 to 34 are preferably arranged on the same plane. At least the upper portions of the walls 32 to 34 extend upward so as to be substantially orthogonal to the bottom wall 31. Note that the walls 32 to 34 are not limited to the above. For example, the walls 32 to 34 may extend obliquely with respect to the vertical direction.

[0026] The bottom wall 31 of the tray 3 forming the accommodation chamber 35 includes a first region 311 and a second region 312 adjacent to the first region 311. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the boundary line BL indicates the boundary between the first region 311 and the second region 312. In this embodiment, the first region 311 is provided inside the tray radial direction RD with respect to the boundary line BL, and the second region 312 is provided outside the tray radial direction RD with respect to the boundary line BL. That is, the inner region of the bottom wall 31 is the first region 311, and the outer region of the bottom wall 31 is the second region 312. The first region 311 and the second region 312 are adjacent in the tray radial direction RD. The fiber density of the first region 311 is substantially the same as the fiber density of the second region 312 except for the high density body 313 described later.

[0027] In the second region 312, a high-density body 313 with a higher (greater) fiber density than the first region 311 is provided. According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide the bottom wall 31 with the first region 311 where water passes easily and the second region 312 where water passes difficultly. Thereby, by passing water from above the second region 312, a flow of water from the second region 312 to the first region 311 is generated, and water is likely to accumulate in the accommodation chamber 35. As a result, the contact time between water and the water quality improving material 2 increases, and the water quality improving effect by the filter 1 can be enhanced.

[0028] The high-density body 313 is preferably a protrusion 313a that protrudes toward the inside of the accommodation chamber 35. According to such a configuration, it becomes difficult for water to escape from the second region 312 due to the protrusion 313a, and water easily flows from the second region 312 to the first region 311. Thereby, the contact time between water and the water quality improving material 2 can be increased, and the water quality improving effect by the filter 1 can be enhanced.

[0029] The protrusion 313a is formed by embossing. A plurality of protrusions 313a are provided in the second region 312. The protrusions 313a are arranged side by side along the tray circumferential direction CD and the tray radial direction RD. In the present embodiment, the protrusion 313a is formed in a circular shape or a semi-circular shape in plan view, but is not limited thereto. For example, the protrusion 313a may be formed in a polygonal shape, an oval shape, or the like in plan view. Further, the protrusion 313a (high-density body 313) may be provided one by one in each accommodation chamber 35, for example.

[0030] The height H1 of the protrusion 313a is preferably greater than the thickness T1 of the bottom wall 31 of the tray 3. The height H1 is preferably 1.5 times or more the thickness T1, and more preferably 2 times or more the thickness T1. In the present embodiment, the height H1 is 0.9 mm and the thickness T1 is 0.4 mm. That is, the height H1 is 2.25 times the thickness T1, but is not limited thereto.

[0031] The fiber density of the bottom wall 31 is preferably substantially the same as the fiber densities of the outer peripheral wall 32, the inner peripheral wall 33, and the partition wall 34. The thickness T1 of the bottom wall 31 is preferably substantially the same as the thickness T2 of each of the walls 32 to 34. In the present embodiment, the thicknesses T1 and T2 are 0.4 mm, but are not limited thereto.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it is preferable that the first region 311 is provided with slits 311a. According to such a configuration, even when clogging occurs in the first region 311, the water permeability of the first region 311 can be ensured. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the water from flowing with difficulty from the second region 312 to the first region 311 due to clogging.

[0033] Preferably, a plurality of slits 311a are provided in the first region 311. In the present embodiment, two slits 311a are provided in each storage chamber 35 (a total of eight), but are not limited thereto.

[0034] The slits 311a are preferably provided along the tray radial direction RD. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the strength of the bottom wall 31 due to the provision of the slits 311a as compared with the case where the slits 311a are provided along the tray circumferential direction CD. Note that the slits 311a are not limited to the above, and may be provided along the tray circumferential direction CD.

[0035] The tray 3 preferably includes an outer flange 37 that protrudes radially outward in the tray radial direction RD from the upper end of the outer peripheral wall 32, and an inner flange 38 that protrudes radially inward in the tray radial direction RD from the upper end of the inner peripheral wall 33. By providing the outer flange 37 and the inner flange 38, the joining strength between the tray 3 and the tray lid 4 can be increased.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the tray lid 4 is formed in an annular shape in plan view with a circular central hole 40 formed at the center. The tray lid 4 is joined to the upper end surfaces of the walls 32 to 34 and the flanges 37, 38 of the tray 3, and covers the upper end opening 36 of the tray 3.

[0037] The tray 3 is preferably formed of a needle-punched nonwoven fabric, and the tray lid 4 is preferably formed of a thermal-bonded nonwoven fabric. With such a configuration, by forming the tray lid 4 of a thermal-bonded nonwoven fabric, the water permeability of the tray lid 4 can be improved and dust such as food and hair can be caught by the tray lid 4. Also, by forming the tray 3 of a needle-punched nonwoven fabric, the strength of the tray 3 can be ensured. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above, and for example, the tray lid 4 may be formed of a needle-punched nonwoven fabric, and the tray 3 may be formed of a nonwoven fabric different from the needle-punched nonwoven fabric.

[0038] The tray lid 4 preferably protrudes outward in the tray radial direction RD beyond the outer peripheral edge (outer flange 37) of the tray 3. With such a configuration, the degree of adhesion between the filter 1 and the pet water feeder 100 can be increased (see FIG. 2), and it is possible to suppress water from flowing down through the gap between the filter 1 and the pet water feeder 100. Thereby, the amount of water passing through the filter 1 can be increased, and the water quality improvement effect by the filter 1 can be enhanced.

[0039] The tray lid 4 preferably protrudes inward in the tray radial direction RD beyond the inner peripheral edge (inner flange 38) of the tray 3. Thereby, the degree of adhesion between the filter 1 and the pet water feeder 100 can be increased (see FIG. 2), and it is possible to suppress water from flowing down through the gap between the filter 1 and the pet water feeder 100. As a result, the amount of water passing through the filter 1 can be increased, and the water quality improvement effect by the filter 1 can be enhanced.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, the fiber density of the tray lid 4 is preferably lower than the fiber density of the tray 3. The thickness T3 of the tray lid 4 is preferably greater than the thicknesses T1, T2 of the tray 3.

[0041] Due to the structure of the above-mentioned filter 1, the water passing through the filter 1 has the garbage such as pet food scraps, hair, and dust removed by the non-woven tray lid 4, and the water quality improving material 2 adsorbs and removes unpleasant odors such as the smell of lime and impurity ions. Thus, by improving the water quality of the water circulating in the pet water feeder, good water quality is maintained as drinking water.

[0042] [1] As described above, the filter 1 of the pet water feeder includes a water quality improving material 2 for improving water quality, and a non-woven tray 3 having a storage chamber 35 for storing the water quality improving material 2. The bottom wall 31 of the tray 3 forming the storage chamber 35 includes a first region 311 and a second region 312 adjacent to the first region 311. A high-density body 313 having a higher fiber density than the first region 311 is provided in the second region 312.

[0043] According to such a structure, the bottom wall 31 can be provided with the first region 311 where water easily passes through and the second region 312 where water hardly passes through. Thereby, by passing water from above the second region 312, a flow of water from the second region 312 to the first region 311 is generated, and water easily accumulates in the storage chamber 35. As a result, the contact time between the water and the water quality improving material 2 increases, and the water quality improving effect of the filter 1 of the pet water feeder can be improved.

[0044] [2] Further, in the filter 1 of the pet water feeder described in [1] above, it is preferable that the high-density body 313 is a protrusion 313a protruding toward the inside of the storage chamber 35.

[0045] According to such a structure, it becomes difficult for water to escape from the second region 312 due to the protrusion 313a, and it becomes easy for water to flow from the second region 312 to the first region 311. Thereby, the contact time between the water and the water quality improving material 2 is increased, and the water quality improving effect by the filter 1 can be improved.

[0046] [3] Further, in the filter 1 of the water feeder for pets described in [1] or [2] above, it is preferable that the first region 311 is provided with slits 311a.

[0047] According to such a configuration, even when clogging occurs in the first region 311, the water permeability of the first region 311 can be ensured. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the difficulty of water flowing from the second region 312 to the first region 311 due to clogging.

[0048] [4] Further, the filter 1 of the water feeder for pets according to any one of [1] to [3] above is provided with a tray lid 4 that covers the upper end opening 36 of the tray 3. The tray 3 is formed of a needle-punched nonwoven fabric, and the tray lid 4 is formed of a thermal-bonded nonwoven fabric. Such a configuration is preferable.

[0049] According to such a configuration, by forming the tray lid 4 of a thermal-bonded nonwoven fabric, the water permeability of the tray lid 4 can be improved, and dust such as food and hair can be caught by the tray lid 4. Also, by forming the tray 3 of a needle-punched nonwoven fabric, the strength of the tray 3 can be ensured.

[0050] [5] Further, in the filter 1 of the water feeder for pets according to any one of [1] to [4] above, it is preferable that the tray lid 4 protrudes outward beyond the outer peripheral edge of the tray 3.

[0051] According to such a configuration, the adhesion between the filter 1 and the water feeder for pets 100 can be increased, and it is possible to suppress water from flowing down through the gap between the filter 1 and the water feeder for pets 100. Thereby, the amount of water passing through the filter 1 can be increased, and the water quality improvement effect by the filter 1 can be enhanced.

[0052] Note that the filter 1 of the water feeder for pets is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, nor is it limited to the above-described effects. Also, the filter 1 of the water feeder for pets can of course be variously modified within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, it goes without saying that one or more of the configurations and methods according to the following various modification examples can be arbitrarily selected and adopted in the configurations and methods according to the above-described embodiment.

[0053] (A) In the present embodiment, the first region 311 is provided inside the tray radial direction RD with respect to the boundary line BL, and the second region 312 is provided outside the tray radial direction RD with respect to the boundary line BL, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the first region 311 may be provided outside the tray radial direction RD with respect to the boundary line BL, and the second region 312 may be provided inside the tray radial direction RD with respect to the boundary line BL. For example, the first region 311 and the second region 312 may be adjacent in the tray circumferential direction CD. Also, for example, the bottom wall 31 may further include a third region different from the first region 311 and the second region 312. The boundary line BL extends in a circular (arc) shape in plan view, but may extend in a rectangular (straight line) shape, for example.

[0054] (B) In the present embodiment, the high-density body 313 is a protrusion 313a that protrudes toward the inside of the accommodation chamber 35, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the high-density body 313 may be formed in a plate shape. In such an example, the high-density body 313 is formed by increasing the compressive strength of a part or all of the second region 312 to be higher than the compressive strength of the first region 311.

[0055] 1…Filter for pet water feeder, 10…Central hole, 2…Water quality improving material, 3…Tray, 30…Central hole, 31…Bottom wall, 311…First region, 311a…Slit, 312…Second region, 313…High-density body, 313a…Projection, 32…Outer peripheral wall, 33…Inner peripheral wall, 34…Partition wall, 35…Accommodation chamber, 36…Upper end opening, 37…Outer flange, 38…Inner flange, 4…Tray lid, 40…Central hole, 100…Pet water feeder, 11…Water storage tank, 12…Support frame, 121…Filter installation part, 122…Cylindrical part, 123…Bottom wall, 13…Top funnel, 131…Water drinking part, 132…Water supply pipe, BL…Boundary line, CD…Tray circumferential direction, RD…Tray radial direction

Claims

1. A water quality improving material for improving water quality, and a non-woven tray having a storage chamber for storing the water quality improving material, wherein the bottom wall of the tray forming the storage chamber includes a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region, and a high-density body having a higher fiber density than the first region is provided in the second region. A filter for a pet water feeder.

2. The filter for a pet water feeder according to claim 1, wherein the high-density body is a protrusion protruding toward the inside of the storage chamber.

3. The filter for a pet water feeder according to claim 1, wherein slits are provided in the first region.

4. comprising a tray lid covering the upper end opening of the tray, wherein the tray is formed of a needle-punched non-woven fabric, and the tray lid is formed of a thermal-bonded non-woven fabric. The filter for a pet water feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The filter for a pet water feeder according to claim 4, wherein the tray lid protrudes outside the outer peripheral edge of the tray.

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