Beverage water supply device

Abstract

To provide a beverage water supply device allowing a storage container to be easily attached to a device body.SOLUTION: A beverage water supply device comprises: a device body 1 to which a storage container B storing beverage water can be attached or from which it can be removed; connection means 2 connected to a discharge mouth Ba of the storage container B; and a discharge port 3 that discharges a predetermined amount of beverage water discharged from the storage container B in accordance with a predetermined operation. The beverage water supply device is configured to include an open / close door D that is movable between a closing position where an opening 1a formed in a lower part of the device body 1 is closed and an opening position where the opening 1a is opened, with the connection means 2 being attached. When the open / close door D is in the opening position, the storage container B can be held and guided to a connection position where the discharge mouth Ba is connected to the connection means 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drinking water dispenser that can dispense and provide drinking water in any desired amount. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, drinking water dispensers such as water servers that provide any amount of drinking water, etc., have become popular. As disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, such drinking water dispensers have a storage container (bottle, bag, etc.) containing drinking water attached to the top of the device body, and the drinking water in the storage container is discharged from an outlet by a predetermined operation, and when the drinking water in the storage container runs low, the storage container can be removed from the device body and replaced with a new storage container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-84159 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, when replacing the storage container, it is necessary to remove the empty storage container and then lift a heavy storage container filled with drinking water to the top of the device body and attach it. Furthermore, when attaching the storage container to the device body, it is necessary to hold the lifted storage bottle so that the discharge spout faces downward and connect the discharge spout to the connecting means of the device body, which makes it difficult for women and children in particular to replace the storage container.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a drinking water dispenser that allows the work of attaching the storage container to the device body to be easily performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is a drinking water supply device comprising: a storage container that holds a predetermined volume of drinking water and has an outlet through which the stored drinking water can be discharged to the outside; a device main body to which the storage container can be attached or detached; a connection means that is connected to the outlet of the storage container attached to the device main body and causes the drinking water stored in the storage container to be discharged from the outlet; and an outlet that, by a predetermined operation, discharges a predetermined amount of drinking water discharged from the storage container according to the operation; wherein the connection means is attached and the device is configured with an opening / closing door that is movable between a closing position that closes an opening formed at the bottom of the device main body and an opening position that opens the opening; and when the opening / closing door is in the open position, the opening / closing door is capable of holding the storage container and guiding the storage container to a connecting position where the outlet is connected to the connecting means.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the drinking water dispenser described in claim 1, the opening and closing door is tilted at a predetermined angle to be in the open position, and is provided with a support means for supporting the opening and closing door in the open position and maintaining it in a state tilted at the predetermined angle.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that, in the drinking water supply device described in claim 2, the opening and closing door has a sliding surface shaped to follow the outer peripheral surface of the storage container, and can be guided by sliding the outer peripheral surface of the storage container to the connection position while matching the sliding surface.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that, in the drinking water supply device described in claim 2, the support means comprises a gripping lever that an operator grips to swing the opening and closing door from the closed position to the open position.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the drinking water dispenser described in claim 4, the support means is movable between a stored state in which it is stored in the opening and closing door and a protruding state in which it protrudes from the opening and closing door, and when the opening and closing door is in the open position, the protruding state is maintained to support the opening and closing door. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the invention of claim 1, the device is configured to have a connecting means attached thereto and to be equipped with an opening / closing door that is movable between a closing position that closes the opening formed in the lower part of the device body and an opening position that opens the opening, and when the opening / closing door is in the open position, it is capable of holding the storage container and guiding the storage container to the connecting position where the discharge outlet is connected to the connecting means, thereby facilitating the installation of the storage container to the device body.

[0012] According to the invention of claim 2, the opening and closing door is tilted at a predetermined angle to be in the open position, and is provided with a support means for supporting the opening and closing door in the open position and maintaining it in a state tilted at the predetermined angle.Therefore, when attaching the storage container to the device main body, the opening and closing door can be maintained in a state tilted at the predetermined angle by the support means, allowing the storage container to be held stably, and the downward slope can be used to slide the storage container and guide it to the connection position.

[0013] According to the invention of claim 3, the opening and closing door has a sliding surface shaped to follow the outer peripheral surface of the storage container, and can be guided by sliding the storage container to the connection position while matching the outer peripheral surface of the storage container to the sliding surface, so that the storage container held by the opening and closing door can be guided stably and smoothly to the connection position.

[0014] According to the invention of claim 4, the support means comprises a gripping lever that is grasped by an operator to swing the opening / closing door from the closed position to the open position, so that the support means can combine a gripping function that the operator grasps when swinging the opening / closing door from the closed position to the open position, and a support function that maintains the opening / closing door tilted at a predetermined angle.

[0015] According to the invention of claim 5, the support means is movable between a stored state in which it is stored in the opening and closing door and a protruding state in which it protrudes from the opening and closing door, and when the opening and closing door is in the open position, the protruding state is maintained to support the opening and closing door.Therefore, when the support means is in the stored state, it is possible to avoid interference with surrounding people and objects, and when the support means is in the protruding state, it is possible to stably support the opening and closing door. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall external view showing a drinking water dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the drinking water dispenser; [Figure 3] Schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the drinking water dispenser. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the attachment portion of the storage container in the drinking water dispenser. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing components of the attachment portion of the storage container in the drinking water dispenser (before the connection means is attached to the opening and closing door); [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing components of the attachment portion of the storage container in the drinking water dispenser (with the connection means attached to the opening / closing door); [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a component of the mounting portion of the storage container in the drinking water dispenser, with the opening / closing door swung to the open position. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the components of the mounting portion of the container in the drinking water dispenser, in which the container is connected after the door has swung to the open position. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the gripping lever (supporting means) of the drinking water dispenser is swung to a protruding state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the gripping lever (supporting means) of the drinking water dispenser is swung to a protruding state and then the opening / closing door is swung to an open position. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door of the drinking water dispenser is swung to the open position, and then the door is held and guided to the connecting position. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening / closing door of the drinking water dispenser is swung to an open position and then the container is connected to the connecting means. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The drinking water dispenser of this embodiment is called a water server, which can dispense and provide any amount of drinking water, and as shown in Figures 1 to 3, it comprises a storage container B containing a predetermined amount of drinking water, a device main body 1 that forms the housing of the drinking water dispenser, a connection means 2, an outlet 3, a pumping pump P1, a cold water tank T1 and a hot water tank T2, an opening / closing door D, and a support means H.

[0018] The storage container B is made of a hard resin bottle that stores a predetermined volume of drinking water inside, and is configured with a handle Bb that can be gripped when lifting the storage container B, and an outer peripheral surface Bc whose radial cross section has a predetermined shape (hexagonal in this embodiment). The storage container B is formed with a discharge port Ba that can discharge the stored drinking water to the outside, and the discharge port Ba is formed with an on-off valve (not shown) that blocks the discharge of drinking water when closed and allows the discharge of drinking water when connected to the connection means 2 and opened.

[0019] The device main body 1 is capable of attaching or detaching the storage container B, and has a bottom panel F laid on its underside, allowing it to be installed anywhere in a house, etc. The device main body 1 is formed with an operating section 4 (such as an operating switch that can be operated by pressing) that can be operated in a predetermined position on the front, and also with an outlet 3 that discharges a predetermined amount of drinking water dispensed from the storage container B by a predetermined operation of the operating section 4.

[0020] 3, the device main body 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a connecting means 2 connectable to the storage container B, a cold water tank T1, a hot water tank T2, a pumping pump P1, a hot water pump P2, a sterilization device 5, a compressor 6, various flow paths such as a pumping flow path L1, a discharge flow path L2, and an air supply flow path L3, and flow path opening / closing means such as electromagnetic valves V1 to V3. The air supply flow path L3 is connected to the connecting means 2 and is capable of supplying air (outside air) to the storage container B in a volume equivalent to the volume of drinking water discharged from the storage container B.

[0021] The connection means 2 is connected to the outlet Ba of the storage container B attached to the device main body 1, and discharges the drinking water stored in the storage container B from the outlet Ba. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the connection means 2 has a connecting part 2a formed in a central recess so as to protrude, and when the outlet Ba of the storage container B is connected to the connecting part 2a, an open / close valve (not shown) is opened, and the drinking water inside the storage container B is discharged into the pumping flow path L1.

[0022] The pumping flow path L1 is made up of piping extending from the connecting means 2 to the cold water tank T1, and is connected midway to a sterilization device 5 and a pumping pump P1 for sterilizing drinking water. When the pumping pump P1 is driven, the drinking water in the storage container B is sterilized by the sterilization device 5, and then pumped up to the top and supplied to the cold water tank T1. The cold water tank T1 is connected to a compressor 6, and is capable of chilling the stored drinking water and storing a predetermined volume of it.

[0023] The hot water tank T2 is connected to the cold water tank T1 via a solenoid valve V1, and when the solenoid valve V1 is opened, drinking water is supplied from the cold water tank T1, and the drinking water stored therein is heated by a heater (not shown), so that a predetermined volume of the drinking water can be stored. The cold water tank T1 and the hot water tank T2 are connected to a discharge flow path L2 via solenoid valves V2 and V3, respectively, and when one of the solenoid valves V2 and V3 is selectively opened based on the operation of the operating unit 4, a predetermined amount of cold water or hot water is discharged from the outlet 3.

[0024] Here, the device body 1 according to this embodiment has an opening 1a (see FIG. 10) formed in its lower part (in this embodiment, the upper part of the bottom panel F and the lower part of the discharge port 3), and this opening 1a can be opened and closed by an opening / closing door D. The opening / closing door D has a connection means 2 attached thereto, and is movable (swingable) between a closing position (see FIGS. 1 and 2) where it closes the opening 1a formed in the lower part of the device body 1, and an opening position (see FIGS. 10 to 12) where it opens the opening 1a.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the door D has a plurality of mounting holes Db formed on the rear side. These mounting holes Db can be fitted with and locked to engaging portions 2b formed on the connecting means 2, and this locking allows the connecting means 2 to be attached to the rear side of the door D. As a result, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the connecting means 2 moves together with the door D when the door D swings between the closed position and the open position.

[0026] 1 and 9, the door D has a support means H attached to its front side. The support means H is made up of a gripping lever that an operator grasps to swing the door D from a closed position to an open position, and is attached so as to be swingable around a swing axis S. The support means H is movable (swings around the swing axis S) between a stored state (see FIGS. 1 and 2) in which it is stored in the door D, and a protruding state (see FIG. 9) in which it protrudes from the door D, and when the door D is in the open position, the protruding state is maintained to support the door D.

[0027] That is, the door D according to this embodiment is configured to be inclined at a predetermined angle to be in the open position as shown in Fig. 10, and the support means H is configured to be in a protruding state to support the door D in the open position and maintain the state inclined at the predetermined angle. In this way, by swinging the door D to the open position as shown in Fig. 10 and inclining it at the predetermined angle, it is possible to place and hold a storage container B on the door D (on the sliding surface M) as shown in Fig. 11.

[0028] Then, by sliding the storage container B held on the opening / closing door D on the sliding surface M toward the connection means 2, the storage container B can be guided to the connection position where the discharge outlet Ba is connected to the connection part 2a of the connection means 2, as shown in Fig. 8. At this time, the storage container B can be slid and guided on a downward slope, so that the storage container B can be slid to the connection position with a relatively small force.

[0029] Furthermore, the sliding surface M of the opening / closing door D according to this embodiment is shaped to follow the outer peripheral surface Bc of the storage container B (in this embodiment, it is V-shaped to follow the shape of the lower part of the outer peripheral surface Bc of the storage container B), and as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the outer peripheral surface Bc of the storage container B can be matched with the sliding surface M and slid and guided to the connection position. At this time, since the handle portion Bb of the storage container B protrudes upward during the sliding process, the worker can grasp the handle portion Bb to smoothly perform the sliding operation of the storage container B.

[0030] Next, the work of attaching the container B to the drinking water dispenser according to this embodiment will be described. First, as shown in Fig. 1, the support means H in a stored state is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by sliding it laterally, and then, as shown in Fig. 9, it is swung about the swing axis S to the protruding state. Note that the movement from the locked position to the unlocked position may be another movement, or the support means H may not be locked.

[0031] Then, by grasping the support means H in the protruding state and pulling the door D towards the user, the door D is set to the open position as shown in Fig. 10. At this time, the door D is tilted at a predetermined angle to the open position as shown in Fig. 10, and the protruding support means H supports the door D in the open position so that the door D is maintained in a state tilted at the predetermined angle. Furthermore, when the door D is in the open position, the sliding surface M faces upward.

[0032] 11, the storage container B is placed and held on the opening / closing door D while the outer peripheral surface Bc of the storage container B is aligned with the sliding surface M, and the storage container B is slid along the sliding surface M using the downward slope toward the connecting means 2. As a result, the storage container B is guided to the connecting position where the discharge outlet Ba is connected to the connecting portion 2a of the connecting means 2, as shown in FIG.

[0033] By performing the above-described steps, the discharge port Ba of the storage container B can be connected and attached to the connecting means 2, and then by swinging the opening / closing door D from the open position to the closed position, the storage container B is accommodated inside the device main body 1 with the discharge port Ba facing downward and connected to the connecting means 2, as shown in Fig. 3. After the opening / closing door D has reached the closed position, the support means H can be stored.

[0034] According to the drinking water dispenser of this embodiment, a connection means 2 is attached and the device is configured with an opening / closing door D that is movable between a closed position that closes the opening 1a formed at the bottom of the device main body 1 and an open position that opens the opening 1a.When the opening / closing door D is in the open position, it is capable of holding the storage container B and guiding the storage container B to the connection position where the outlet Ba is connected to the connection means 2.Therefore, there is no need to lift the storage container B to the top of the device main body 1, and the installation work of the storage container B to the device main body 1 can be easily performed.

[0035] Furthermore, the opening / closing door D of this embodiment is tilted at a predetermined angle to be in the open position, and is equipped with a support means H that supports the opening / closing door D in the open position and maintains it in a state tilted at the predetermined angle. Therefore, when attaching the storage container B to the device main body 1, the opening / closing door D can be maintained in a state tilted at the predetermined angle by the support means, and the storage container B can be held stably, and the downward slope can be used to slide the storage container B and guide it to the connection position.

[0036] Furthermore, the opening / closing door D of this embodiment has a sliding surface M shaped to follow the outer peripheral surface Bc of the storage container B, and can be guided by sliding the outer peripheral surface Bc of the storage container B to the connection position while matching it with the sliding surface M, so that the storage container B held by the opening / closing door D can be guided stably and smoothly to the connection position.

[0037] Furthermore, since the support means H according to this embodiment is made up of a gripping lever that is gripped by an operator to swing the door D from the closed position to the open position, the support means H can have both a gripping function that the operator grips when swinging the door D from the closed position to the open position, and a support function that maintains the door D in a state inclined at a predetermined angle. Note that the inclination angle of the door D in the open position can be adjusted as desired by arbitrarily changing the dimensions and size of the support means H.

[0038] In addition, the support means H in this embodiment is movable between a stored state in which it is stored in the opening and closing door D and a protruding state in which it protrudes from the opening and closing door D, and when the opening and closing door D is in the open position, it maintains its protruding state to support the opening and closing door D.Therefore, when the support means H is in the stored state, it is possible to avoid interference with surrounding people and objects, and when the support means H is in the protruding state, it is possible to stably support the opening and closing door D.

[0039] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the opening 1a of the device body 1 may be formed on the side or back surface instead of on the front surface at the bottom of the device body 1, and the opening / closing door D may be movable between a closed position where it closes the opening 1a formed on the side surface or back surface, and an open position where it opens the opening 1a. The bottom of the device body 1 may be located in any position that does not lift the storage container B too much, and may be located at least below the position where the discharge port 3 of the device body 1 is formed.

[0040] Furthermore, the operation unit 4 is not limited to an operation switch or the like formed on the device body 1 as in this embodiment, but may be operable by a touch panel or the like. Furthermore, in this embodiment, cold water and hot water can be selectively discharged, but it may also be capable of discharging only cold water or only hot water. [Industrial Applicability]

[0041] The present invention can also be applied to devices with different external shapes or devices with additional functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Device body 1a opening 2. Connection Method 2a Connection 2b Engagement part 3 outlet 4 Control section 5. Sterilization equipment 6 Compressor B. Storage container Ba outlet Bb Handle Bc outer surface D Opening and closing door M sliding surface F Bottom plate V1~V3 solenoid valves P1 Suction pump P2 hot water pump L1 Pumping channel L2 discharge channel L3 Air supply channel S swing axis H Support means (gripping lever) T1 Cold Water Tank T2 Hot Water Tank

Claims

1. a container that stores a predetermined volume of drinking water and has a discharge port that can discharge the stored drinking water to the outside; an apparatus main body to which the storage container can be attached or detached; a connecting means for connecting to the outlet of the container attached to the device body and discharging the drinking water contained in the container from the outlet; an outlet for discharging a predetermined amount of drinking water discharged from the storage container by a predetermined operation; A drinking water dispenser comprising: A drinking water dispenser characterized in that the connection means is attached to an opening / closing door that is movable between a closed position that closes an opening formed at the bottom of the device body and an open position that opens the opening, and when the opening / closing door is in the open position, it is capable of holding the storage container and guiding the storage container to a connection position where the discharge outlet is connected to the connection means.

2. The drinking water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening and closing door is tilted at a predetermined angle to be in the open position, and is provided with a support means for supporting the opening and closing door in the open position and maintaining it inclined at the predetermined angle.

3. The drinking water dispenser described in claim 2, characterized in that the opening and closing door has a sliding surface shaped to follow the outer peripheral surface of the storage container, and is capable of sliding and guiding the outer peripheral surface of the storage container to the connection position while matching the sliding surface.

4. 3. The drinking water dispenser according to claim 2, wherein said support means comprises a gripping lever which an operator grips to swing said opening / closing door from said closed position to said open position.

5. The drinking water dispenser as described in claim 4, characterized in that the support means is movable between a stored state in which it is stored in the opening and closing door and a protruding state in which it protrudes from the opening and closing door, and when the opening and closing door is in the open position, the protruding state is maintained to support the opening and closing door.

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