Drinking water dispenser

Abstract

To provide a drinking water dispenser that enables a full and heavy drinking water container to be mounted easily and safely, and hardly makes a user feel a physical burden.SOLUTION: A drinking water dispenser 1 comprises: a drinking water container 50 into which drinking water W has been supplied; a floor-type server housing 5 that stores the drinking water container 50 and pours out the drinking water W in correspondence with an operation by the user; and a drawer part 12 disposed in an opening part 10 formed in a front face of the server housing 5, which enables the drinking water container 50 to be stored inside the server housing 5. The drawer part 12 is disposed below a water supply part 7 that pours out the drinking water W.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drinking water dispenser, and more particularly to a drinking water dispenser that accommodates a drinking water container for dispensing tap water. [Background technology]

[0002] A drinking water dispenser is a drinking water supply device, also known as a water server. A drinking water dispenser has a hot water tank for storing hot water and a cold water tank for storing cold water. Drinking water is supplied to these tanks from a drinking water container, and the drinking water is heated or cooled within each tank. An outlet pipe is connected to each tank, and the drinking water (hot water, cold water) stored in each tank is drawn out by operating the valve (outlet valve) at the end of the outlet pipe.

[0003] Drinking water dispensers are continuously used by replacing the drinking water containers that store drinking water. The user (owner) of the drinking water dispenser replaces the drinking water container when the drinking water inside the container is used up. The drinking water containers are single-use and disposable. On the other hand, there are also drinking water dispensers that use a drinking water container that can be reused by the user by adding tap water. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-102044 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a drinking water dispenser that uses a drinking water container filled with tap water, the drinking water container is attached (mounted) to the top of the drinking water dispenser body (server housing). However, increasing the capacity of drinking water containers to reduce the frequency of refilling with tap water poses a problem in that it places a physical strain on the user. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of a drinking water dispenser that can be easily attached to the device body without causing a physical burden to the user, even when the drinking water container is full and heavy.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a drinking water dispenser that can easily and safely attach a heavy drinking water container filled with water and that does not impose a physical burden on the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The drinking water dispenser according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a drinking water container filled with drinking water, a floor-standing server housing that accommodates the drinking water container and dispenses the drinking water in response to a user's operation, and a drawer section that is positioned in an opening formed on the front of the server housing and allows the drinking water container to be stored inside the server housing.

[0008] The drinking water dispenser according to a second aspect is the first aspect, characterized in that the drawer section is arranged below a water supply section that dispenses the drinking water. The drinking water dispenser of the third aspect is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the drawer section is a tray body having a bottom plate section on which the drinking water container is placed and with some or all of both sides open. The drinking water dispenser of the fourth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to third aspects, a pair of slide rails are laid along the front-to-rear direction between the bottom surface of the opening and the underside of the bottom plate portion. The drinking water dispenser of the fifth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to fourth aspects, the bottom plate portion has a connecting portion into which the bottom of the drinking water container fits, at a position 40 cm to 60 cm from the floor. The drinking water dispenser of the sixth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to fifth aspects, the drinking water container is a rectangular box whose front-to-back length is shorter than its left-to-right length, and the maximum pull-out length of the pull-out section is 1.1 times or more and 1.4 times or less the front-to-back length of the drinking water container.

[0009] A drinking water dispenser according to a seventh aspect is the drinking water dispenser of any one of the first to sixth aspects, characterized in that the drinking water container has a pair of handles formed on each of its side surfaces. The drinking water dispenser according to an eighth aspect is the seventh aspect, characterized in that the handle portion has a shape in which the upper end of the lateral side surface protrudes in the left-right direction like a canopy.

[0010] The drinking water dispenser of the ninth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to eighth aspects, the drinking water container has a drinking water inlet on part or all of its upper surface and a valved water outlet on its lower surface. The drinking water dispenser according to a tenth aspect is the drinking water dispenser of any one of the first to ninth aspects, characterized in that a water purification filter that purifies the drinking water is detachably attached to the drawer portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present invention can realize a drinking water dispenser that can easily and safely accommodate a heavy, full-water drinking water container and that does not impose a physical burden on the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a drinking water dispenser 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view (partial cross-sectional view) showing a drinking water dispenser 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) showing a drinking water dispenser 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the drawer section 12 is drawn out. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the drawer section 12 is drawn out. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the drinking water container 50 has been removed from the drawer section 12. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the drinking water container 50 has been removed from the drawer section 12. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a drinking water container 50. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a drinking water inlet 53 of the drinking water container 50 is open. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the drinking water container 50. [Figure 11] 1 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) showing a state in which a drinking water container 50 is placed on the drawer section 12. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) showing a state in which a drinking water container 50 is placed on the drawer section 12. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A drinking water dispenser 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a drinking water dispenser 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view (partial cross-sectional view) showing the drinking water dispenser 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) showing the drinking water dispenser 1 according to the embodiment.

[0014] The drinking water dispenser 1 is a device that stores tap water and dispenses (supplies) it in response to a user's operation. The drinking water dispenser 1 has a detachable drinking water container 50, and is used by attaching the drinking water container 50 filled with tap water. The drinking water dispenser 1 purifies tap water stored in a drinking water container 50, adjusts the temperature, and then dispenses drinking water W from a water supply unit 7.

[0015] The drinking water container 50 is a resin container that stores tap water (drinking water W) and is housed inside the floor-standing server housing 5. The tap water stored in the drinking water container 50 is sucked in by a pump, passes through a water purification filter, and is sent to the inside of the drinking water dispenser 1 as drinking water W.

[0016] The drinking water dispenser 1 includes a cold water tank for storing cold water and a hot water tank for storing hot water (neither of which is shown). Drinking water W supplied from a drinking water container 50 is sent to the cold water tank and the hot water tank. The cold water tank and the hot water tank are each covered with a heat insulating material and housed at the top inside the server housing 5. A compressor (not shown) for cooling the drinking water W is housed in the lower part of the interior of the server housing 5.

[0017] The water supply unit 7 is a space where the user receives drinking water W, and is located at the upper front of the server housing 5. A water outlet 8 that dispenses drinking water W (cold water, hot water, room temperature water) is provided at the top of the water supply unit 7. Drinking water W sent from the cold water tank and hot water tank is dispensed from the water outlet 8. An operation panel 9 is provided above the water supply unit 7 (on the front top surface of the server housing 5) to allow the user to perform various operations. This operation panel 9 is provided with a cold water dispense button, a hot water dispense button, a room temperature water dispense button, a heat sterilization button, etc.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the state in which the drawer section 12 is drawn out. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the state in which the drawer section 12 is drawn out. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the state in which the drinking water container 50 has been removed from the drawer section 12. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the state in which the drinking water container 50 has been removed from the drawer section 12. As shown in FIG.

[0019] A drinking water container holder 11 is provided on the front side of the vertical center of the server housing 5. The drinking water container holder 11 (drawer section 12) is disposed below (directly below) the water supply section 7. A drinking water container 50 is detachably disposed in the drinking water container holder 11. The drinking water container receiving section 11 is disposed in an opening 10 formed in the front face of the server housing 5, and includes a drawer section 12 in which a drinking water container 50 is attached. The drawer section 12 is a tray body having a bottom plate section 13 on which the drinking water container 50 is placed, and a front plate section 17 erected in front of the bottom plate section 13. When the user grasps the upper end of the front plate section 17, the drawer section 12 can be slid back and forth. Between the bottom surface 10b of the opening 10 and the lower surface 13b of the bottom plate portion 13 of the drawer portion 12, a pair of slide rails 20 are laid in parallel along the front-rear direction.

[0020] A connecting part 14 having a water inlet 15 is provided on the bottom plate part 13 of the drawer part 12. The connecting part 14 has a shape that allows the bottom (lower surface 50b) of the drinking water container 50 to fit into it. When the drinking water container 50 is placed on the connecting part 14 of the bottom plate part 13, the water outlet 54 provided on the lower surface 50b of the drinking water container 50 fits into the water inlet 15. This allows the connecting part 14 to receive drinking water W from the drinking water container 50. A water purification filter 16 is also detachably attached to the bottom plate portion 13. The water purification filter 16 purifies the drinking water W received from the drinking water container 50. The drinking water W that has passed through the water purification filter 16 is sent to a cold water tank or the like.

[0021] The front panel 17 of the drawer 12 becomes one with the front surface of the server housing 5 when the drawer 12 is pulled into the server housing 5. The front panel 17 is a decorative panel that closes the opening 10 formed in the front surface of the server housing 5. A handle 18 is provided on the upper front surface of the front panel 17 so that a user can grasp the drawer 12.

[0022] The drawer section 12 is open on both sides and the rear, i.e., the drawer section 12 does not have a side surface extending from the side of the bottom plate section 13 or a rear surface extending from the rear. The reason why there are no side surfaces is to prevent the drinking water container 50 from interfering with the drawer portion 12 when the drinking water container 50 is attached to or detached from the bottom plate portion 13 (connecting portion 14), as will be described later. It is sufficient that both sides (side plates) of the drawer section 12 are partially open. When attaching or detaching the drinking water container 50 to or from the bottom plate section 13 (connecting section 14), the user's hands (both hands) do not interfere with the drawer section 12.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the drinking water container 50. As shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the drinking water container 50 with the drinking water inlet 53 open. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the drinking water container 50.

[0024] The drinking water container 50 is a rectangular box (cuboid) molded from, for example, polypropylene. The drinking water container 50 comprises a container body 51 with an open top and a lid body 52 that covers the opening. The container body 51 and the lid body 52 are welded together without any gaps and are fixed so that they cannot be removed. The drinking water container 50 (container body 51) is formed in a pyramidal shape with an outer shape that gradually decreases downward. A drinking water inlet 53 is provided on the upper surface 50a of the drinking water container 50, and a valved water outlet 54 is provided on the lower surface 50b.

[0025] The outer dimensions (maximum dimensions) of the drinking water container 50 are a horizontal (left-right) width b of approximately 23 cm, a vertical (front-to-back) depth d of approximately 17 cm, and a vertical height h of approximately 25 cm. In other words, the drinking water container 50 has a shape in which the length in the front-to-back direction (depth d) is shorter than the length in the left-to-right direction (width b). The drinking water container 50 can hold approximately 4 to 6 L of tap water (drinking water W). When the drinking water container 50 is filled with water, its weight is approximately 4 to 6 kg.

[0026] Of the side surfaces of the drinking water container 50, a pair of lateral side surfaces 50s facing left and right are each formed with a handle 55 for a user to grip (hold) the drinking water container 50 with both hands. The handle 55 has a shape in which the upper end side of the lateral side surface 50s protrudes like a canopy. Specifically, the handle 55 protrudes from the upper end of the container body 51 by about 1 to 2 cm. By placing both hands (four fingers excluding the thumb) on the handles 55, the user can stably grasp (hold) the drinking water container 50 and lift or lower it.

[0027] FIG. 11 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) showing a state in which a drinking water container 50 is placed on the drawer section 12. As shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) showing a state in which a drinking water container 50 is placed on the drawer section 12. As shown in FIG.

[0028] The drawer section 12 (connecting section 14) has a height H of 40 to 60 cm from the floor and a width B of approximately 27 cm. The maximum drawer length (depth D) of the drawer section 12 is approximately 20 to 24 cm. The drinking water container 50 has a width b of approximately 23 cm and a depth d of approximately 17 cm. The drinking water container 50 has a height h of approximately 25 cm. The height h of the drinking water container 50 is set so that the drinking water container 50 can be securely accommodated in the drinking water container accommodation portion 11 (opening 10) while ensuring a large capacity.

[0029] The maximum drawer length (depth D) of the drawer section 12 is set so that the drinking water container 50 can be placed smoothly and without hindrance on the bottom plate section 13 (connecting section 14). However, if the depth D is made too large, there is a risk that the center of gravity of the drinking water dispenser 1 will shift forward and tip over when a full drinking water container 50 is placed on the bottom plate section 13. For this reason, the depth D is set to the minimum necessary. Specifically, the maximum drawer length (depth D) of the drawer section 12 is set to be 1.1 to 1.4 times the length (depth d) of the drinking water container 50 in the front-to-rear direction, and preferably 1.2 to 1.3 times the length. As described above, the maximum drawer length (depth D) of the drawer section 12 is set to about 20 to 24 cm.

[0030] The vertical position (height H from the floor) of the drawer section 12 (connecting section 14) is also set so that the drinking water container 50 can be placed smoothly and without hindrance on the bottom plate section 13. It is required that a user can lift a full drinking water container 50 (approximately 4 to 6 kg) with both hands and then place the drinking water container 50 on the connecting section 14 without any further strain.

[0031] If the height H of the drawer part 12 (connecting part 14) is too low, the user will have to bend down while holding the drinking water container 50 with both hands, which places a heavy burden on the user's lower back. On the other hand, if the height H of the drawer part 12 (connecting part 14) is too high, the user will have to lift the drinking water container 50 with his or her arms, which will place a heavy burden on the shoulders and arms. Therefore, the vertical position (height H) of the drawer 12 (connecting part 14) is set to a height near the user's knees. Specifically, the height H of the connecting part 14 from the floor surface is set to 40 to 60 cm, preferably 45 to 55 cm.

[0032] When the user holds the drinking water container 50 with both hands, the bottom surface 50b of the drinking water container 50 comes to be at approximately the same position (height) as the connecting portion 14. This eliminates the need for the user to lift the drinking water container 50 to a position higher than the connecting part 14. In particular, because both sides of the drawer part 12 are open, there is no need to lift the drinking water container 50 higher than the front panel part 17. In other words, with the drawer part 12 pulled out, the drinking water container 50 can be moved from the left or right direction of the connecting part 14 towards the connecting part 14.

[0033] The drinking water container 50 is attached to and housed in the drinking water container housing portion 11 of the drinking water dispenser 1 in the following procedure. First, slide the drawer section 12 to the front side of the server housing 5 as far as possible. Then, hook your fingers on each of the pair of handles 55 of the drinking water container 50 and lift the drinking water container storage section 11 upward. Remove the drinking water container 50 from the drawer section 12.

[0034] Next, the drinking water inlet 53 of the drinking water container 50 is opened and tap water (drinking water W) is poured in. When the drinking water container 50 is almost full, the user puts his / her fingers on each of the pair of handles 55 again and lifts the drinking water container holder 11. Then, with the drinking water container 50 lifted, it is moved to the left or right side of the front of the server housing 5. Next, the drinking water container 50 is moved in parallel to the left and right direction so as not to interfere with the front panel 17 and the server housing 5. The drinking water container 50 is passed between the front panel 17 of the drawer 12 and the front surface of the server housing 5, and moved to directly above the connecting part 14.

[0035] Finally, the drinking water container 50 is lowered and placed on the connecting part 14. As a result, the valved water outlet 54 of the drinking water container 50 and the water inlet 15 of the connecting part 14 fit together. Then, the drawer portion 12 is pushed backward together with the drinking water container 50 (the drawer portion 12 is closed), and the drinking water container 50 is accommodated in the drinking water container accommodating portion 11.

[0036] In this way, in the drinking water dispenser 1, the drinking water container 50 filled with tap water (drinking water W) can be easily and safely placed on the drawer section 12 (connecting section 14) and stored in the drinking water container storage section 11. In particular, even when attaching a drinking water container 50 that is full of water, the user is unlikely to feel any physical strain.

[0037] The drawer 12 (connecting part 14) is set at a height near the user's knees. When the user holds the drinking water container 50 with both hands, the bottom surface 50b of the drinking water container 50 is at approximately the same position (height) as the connecting part 14. Therefore, even if the drinking water container 50 weighs approximately 4 to 6 kg, it can be attached to the drinking water dispenser 1 without placing a large burden on the user's waist, arms, shoulders, etc.

[0038] The maximum drawer length (depth D) of the drawer section 12 is set to the minimum necessary, so even if a drinking water container 50 weighing approximately 4 to 6 kg is placed on the drawer section 12, there is no risk of the drinking water dispenser 1 tilting forward or tipping over. Even if the maximum draw-out length (depth D) of the draw-out section 12 is small, both sides of the draw-out section 12 are open, so the drinking water container 50 can be attached to and detached from the side of the draw-out section 12 (connecting section 14) without interfering with the draw-out section 12. The drinking water capacity of the drinking water container 50 is not reduced, and a sufficient drinking water capacity (approximately 4 to 6 L) can be ensured.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the specific preferred embodiments described above, and it is obvious that anyone with ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains can make various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications are within the scope of the claims.

[0040] The drawer section 12 (drinking water container storage section 11) is not limited to being arranged directly below the water supply section 7. As long as it is below the server housing 5, the drawer section 12 (drinking water container storage section 11) may be arranged, for example, at the lowest part. The drinking water container 50 is not limited to one having the pair of handles 55. For example, a handle may be provided on the top surface 50a of the drinking water container 50. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 drinking water dispenser 5 Server Housing 7 Water supply section 10 Opening 10b Bottom 11 Drinking water container storage section 12 Drawer section 13 Bottom plate part 13b Bottom side 14 Connection part 15 Water intake 16 Water Purification Filter 17 Front plate part 18 Handle 20 Slide rail 50 drinking water containers 50a top 50b Bottom side 50s side view 53 Drinking water inlet 54 Valved outlet 55 Handle W Drinking water (tap water)

Claims

1. a drinking water container filled with drinking water; a floor-standing server housing that accommodates the drinking water container and dispenses the drinking water in response to a user's operation; a drawer disposed in an opening formed in a front surface of the server housing to accommodate the drinking water container inside the server housing; A drinking water dispenser comprising:

2. 2. The drinking water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the drawer is disposed below a water supply unit that dispenses the drinking water.

3. 2. The drinking water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the drawer is a tray body having a bottom plate on which the drinking water container is placed and both sides of which are partially or entirely open.

4. The drinking water dispenser according to claim 3, wherein a pair of slide rails are installed in the front-rear direction between the bottom surface of the opening and the lower surface of the bottom plate portion.

5. 4. The drinking water dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the bottom plate portion has a connecting portion into which the bottom of the drinking water container fits, at a position 40 cm to 60 cm from the floor surface.

6. The drinking water container is a rectangular box whose length in the front-to-rear direction is shorter than its length in the left-to-right direction, 2. The drinking water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the maximum length of the drawer is 1.1 times or more and 1.4 times or less the length of the drinking water container in the front-to-rear direction.

7. The drinking water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the drinking water container has a pair of side surfaces each formed with a handle.

8. The drinking water dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the handle has an upper end on the lateral side surface that protrudes in the left-right direction like a canopy.

9. 2. The drinking water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the drinking water container has a drinking water inlet on a part or all of its upper surface and a valved water outlet on its lower surface.

10. 2. The drinking water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a water purification filter for purifying the drinking water is detachably attached to the drawer.

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