liquid tank

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid tank that allows for easy and stable removal of the liquid inside without the need for a pump, while the liquid tank remains in place, and that offers greater flexibility in its usage. [Solution] The liquid tank 10 according to this disclosure comprises a tank body 20 that partitions an internal space into which liquid can be filled, and a discharge section 40 located at the lower end of one side surface 20a of the tank body 20 and capable of discharging the liquid inside the tank body 20. The discharge section 40 has a valve mechanism 41 that opens and closes the flow of fluid and is a one-touch type connector that allows a hose to be attached and detached.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid tank.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a poly tank. In this poly tank, an injection outlet is formed by opening on the upper surface of the poly tank body, and is detachably opened and closed using a cap. The bottom surface of the poly tank body is formed with an inclination so as to become lower from one vertical surface side toward the other vertical surface side. A cylindrical staying portion is provided on the bottom surface, near the directly below of the injection outlet on the other vertical surface side, into which the liquid flowing along the inclination of the bottom surface finally flows. When using this, remove the cap of the injection outlet of the poly tank body, insert the electric pump body into the injection outlet, place the tip of the electric pump in the staying portion, and suck out the liquid by the function of the pump or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the poly tank (liquid tank) described in Patent Document 1, it has a configuration that requires a pump when using the internal liquid. Therefore, there is a problem that preparation, installation, and maintenance of the pump are required, and the labor of use increases. Further, when taking out the liquid without using the pump, it is necessary to lift and tilt the poly tank itself and let the liquid flow out from the injection outlet on the upper surface. For this reason, when the tank is large or heavy, handling becomes difficult, which causes a large burden on the user and there is a risk of liquid spillage. Thus, in the poly tank described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to stably take out the internal liquid without using a pump while the poly tank is placed.

[0005] Furthermore, it is conceivable to provide a liquid outlet with a tap at the bottom of the plastic tank, similar to a beverage tank. However, this assumes use in a container such as a cup, which limits its usage and reduces its versatility.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a liquid tank that allows for easy and stable removal of the liquid inside without using a pump while the liquid tank is still mounted, and that offers greater flexibility in its usage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the liquid tank of the first aspect of the present invention comprises a tank body that partitions an internal space into which liquid can be filled, and a discharge section located at the lower end of one side of the tank body that can discharge the liquid inside the tank body, wherein the discharge section has a valve mechanism for opening and closing the flow of fluid and is a one-touch type connector that allows a hose connector to be attached and detached.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is a liquid tank according to the first aspect, wherein the bottom portion of the tank body that partitions the lower part of the internal space includes an inclined surface that slopes from above the discharge portion toward the discharge portion.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is a liquid tank according to the first or second aspect, wherein the tank body has an opening located at the top into which liquid can be filled into the internal space, and a lid that can be opened and closed to close the opening.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a liquid tank according to the first or second aspect, wherein the tank body has a first gripping portion located at the top and capable of being gripped.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a liquid tank according to the fourth aspect, wherein the tank body has a second gripping portion provided on one side and capable of being gripped. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a liquid tank that allows for easy and stable removal of the liquid inside without using a pump while the liquid tank is still in place, and that offers greater flexibility in its usage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a liquid tank according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the liquid tank. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the liquid tank. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the Y direction. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram about connecting hose fittings. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the X direction represents the longitudinal direction in a top view, the Y direction represents the short direction in a top view, and the Z direction represents the up and down direction. The longitudinal direction is the direction that intersects (is perpendicular to) the up and down direction, and will be described as the front-to-back direction in the following description. The short direction is the direction that intersects (is perpendicular to) both the up and down direction and the longitudinal direction, and will be described as the width direction in the following description. The direction indicated by the arrow in the Z direction is upward, and the direction indicated by the arrow in the X direction is forward.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a liquid tank according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view of the liquid tank. Figure 3 is a top view of the liquid tank. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the Y direction. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the connection of the hose fittings. Note that in Figure 4, only the cross-section of the lower part of the liquid tank is shown, and the upper part is omitted. Also, in Figure 5, the lid is omitted.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a liquid tank 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a tank body 20 that defines an internal space S capable of being filled with liquid therein, and a discharge portion 40 disposed at a lower end of one side surface (in this embodiment, the front side surface) 20a of the tank body 20 and capable of discharging the liquid in the internal space S to the outside.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the tank body 20 is, for example, a container integrally formed of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene (PE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The outer shape of the tank body 20 in this embodiment has a shape based on a rectangular parallelepiped shape with chamfers or R processing applied to the corners (see FIGS. 1 and 2, etc.).

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the tank body 20 has a bottom surface portion 21 that partitions the lower part of the internal space S, a top surface portion 22 that partitions the upper part of the internal space S, a front surface portion 23 that partitions the front of the internal space S, a rear surface portion 24 that partitions the rear of the internal space S, and a pair of side surface portions 25 and 26 that partition both sides in the width direction of the internal space S.

[0019] The tank body 20 of this embodiment has an opening 27 (see Figure 5) located at the top into which liquid can be filled into the internal space S, and a lid 28 that can be opened and closed to close the opening 27. For example, the opening 27 of this embodiment is provided in the chamfered corner between the top surface 22 and the front surface 23 of the tank body 20, opening upward and forward. As shown in Figure 5, a circular wall 29 is provided around the opening 27, and male threads are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the wall 29. The lid 28 has female threads that can be screwed into the male threads of the wall 29, and is detachable from the wall 29 of the opening 27, allowing the opening 27 to be opened and closed. The opening 27 functions as a water inlet into which liquid can be poured into the internal space S. In this embodiment, the lid 28 is a cap-shaped lid that is fastened by a rotational operation, but it is not limited to this, and for example, a screw-in type or an engagement type lid may also be used, as long as it can suppress liquid leakage from the opening 27 during transport and storage. Furthermore, the position of the opening 27 is not limited to the corner between the top surface 22 and the front surface 23; it is preferably at the top, but it may be at other positions as well.

[0020] The tank body 20 of this embodiment has a first gripping portion 30 positioned on the top and capable of being gripped. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, for example, the tank body 20 of this embodiment has front and rear convex portions 31 formed at both the front and rear ends of the top surface portion 22 in an upwardly convex shape. The first gripping portion 30 of this embodiment extends in the front-rear direction at the center in the width direction between the front and rear convex portions 31, connecting the front and rear convex portions 31 to each other. Below the first gripping portion 30, a through hole 32 is provided that penetrates in the width direction, allowing a fingertip to be inserted. As a result, the first gripping portion 30 is capable of being gripped, making it possible to lift or transport the tank body 20. Note that the shape of the first gripping portion 30 is not limited to the above, and it is sufficient if it is provided on the top of the liquid tank 10 and capable of being gripped, for example, a separate handle may be attached.

[0021] The tank body 20 of the present embodiment has a second gripping portion 33 that is disposed on the one side surface 20a side (front side in the present embodiment) and can be gripped. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tank body 20 of the present embodiment has upper and lower convex portions 34 formed by protruding the upper and lower both end portions of the front surface portion 23 forward. The second gripping portion 33 of the present embodiment extends in the vertical direction at the central portion in the width direction between the upper and lower convex portions 34 and connects the upper and lower convex portions 34 to each other. A through hole 35 penetrating in the width direction is provided behind the second gripping portion 33, and fingertips can be inserted therein. Thereby, the second gripping portion 33 can be gripped, and can be gripped when carrying the tank body 20 with the front surface portion 23 facing upward or the like. By providing the second gripping portion 33 on the one side surface 20a side of the liquid tank 10 in the same manner as the discharge portion 40 described later, when connecting a hose H (see FIG. 6) to the discharge portion 40 or changing the direction of the connected hose H as described later, it becomes possible to handle the liquid tank 10 with a stable posture. Note that the shape of the second gripping portion 33 is not limited to the above, and it may be provided on the one side surface 20a side of the liquid tank 10 and can be gripped. For example, a configuration in which a separate handle is attached may be used.

[0022] The bottom surface 21 of the tank body 20 in this embodiment includes an inclined surface 21a for guiding liquid to the discharge section 40. The inclined surface 21a is sloped downward from a position above the discharge section 40 toward the discharge section 40. For example, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, in this embodiment, the central region in the width direction of the upper surface of the bottom surface 21 is an inclined surface 21a that slopes downward from the rear end to the front end. As shown in Figure 4, the front side of the inclined surface 21a is continuous with the lower surface of the flow path in the discharge section 40. In this way, by providing an inclined surface 21a on the bottom surface 21 of the tank body 20, the liquid in the internal space S is made more likely to collect toward the discharge section 40. The regions 36 on both sides in the width direction of the inclined surface 21a of the bottom surface 21 protrude downward and function as legs when the liquid tank 10 is placed on the ground or the like. The inclined surface 21a being inclined to have a downward slope means that when the areas 36 on both sides in the width direction of the bottom surface 21 are placed on a horizontal surface, they are inclined to have a downward slope with respect to the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the central area in the width direction of the upper surface of the bottom surface 21 is used as the inclined surface 21a, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the entire upper surface of the bottom surface 21 may be made into an inclined surface 21a that has a downward slope toward the discharge section 40.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a discharge section 40 is provided at the lower end of one side surface 20a (the front surface in this embodiment) of the tank body 20. The discharge section 40 has a flow path that connects the internal space S to the outside, and is capable of discharging the liquid inside the tank body 20.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the discharge section 40 has a valve mechanism 41 for opening and closing the flow of fluid. The valve mechanism 41 may be, for example, a rotary valve, a ball valve, a spool valve, a poppet valve, etc., and can be switched between an open state that opens the flow path and a closed state that closes it by operating an operating part 42 (lever, knob, push button, etc.). The configuration of the valve mechanism 41 is not particularly limited, and any configuration that allows the flow path in the discharge section 40 to be opened and closed by external operation is acceptable.

[0025] Furthermore, the discharge section 40 is configured as a one-touch type connector that allows the connector Ha of the hose H to be attached and detached. The one-touch type connector may be a known configuration in which, for example, a socket (receiving side) and a plug (insertion side) engage, and can be connected simply by inserting the connector Ha on the hose H side, and can be quickly detached by a release operation. In this embodiment, the discharge section 40 is the plug (insertion side), and the connector Ha on the hose H side is the socket (receiving side). Note that the connector standard and type of the one-touch type connector are not particularly limited, as long as the hose H can be connected by pushing in the connector Ha of the hose H, and the hose H can be removed by a predetermined simple operation.

[0026] In the liquid tank 10 configured as described above, a discharge section 40 is provided at the lower end of one side surface 20a of the tank body 20. Therefore, the liquid inside can be used without using a pump or the like while the tank body 20 is placed on the floor or the like. Specifically, by opening the valve mechanism 41 provided in the discharge section 40, the liquid in the internal space S flows out from the discharge section 40 due to its own weight.

[0027] Furthermore, since the discharge section 40 has a valve mechanism 41 that opens and closes the flow of fluid, when not in use the valve mechanism 41 can be closed to prevent leakage of liquid, and when in use the valve mechanism 41 can be opened to easily and stably remove the liquid inside.

[0028] Furthermore, since the discharge section 40 is a one-touch type fitting that allows the fitting Ha on the hose H side to be attached and detached, it can be used without attaching the hose H, or with the hose H attached. In other words, the liquid tank 10 offers greater flexibility in usage compared to when the hose H cannot be connected. Also, since the discharge section 40 is a one-touch type fitting, attaching and detaching the hose H is easy. In addition, since it has a valve mechanism 41, the start and stop of liquid outflow can be reliably controlled when the hose H is connected.

[0029] Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a liquid tank 10 that allows for easy and stable removal of the liquid inside without using a pump while the liquid tank 10 is still in place, and that offers greater flexibility in its usage.

[0030] Furthermore, since the bottom surface 21 of the tank body 20 includes an inclined surface 21a for guiding liquid to the discharge section 40, the liquid in the internal space S tends to collect towards the discharge section 40, improving discharge efficiency and reducing residual liquid.

[0031] Furthermore, the tank body 20 has an opening 27 located at the top into which liquid can be filled into the internal space S, and a lid 28 that can be opened and closed to close the opening 27. Therefore, when the tank body 20 is placed on the floor or the like with its bottom surface 21 facing downwards, it is easy to pour liquid in from the top.

[0032] Furthermore, since the tank body 20 has a first gripping portion 30 located at the top that can be gripped, it is easy to place the liquid tank 10 on the floor or the like while gripping the first gripping portion 30, and it is also easy to lift the liquid tank 10 that has been placed on the floor or the like by gripping the first gripping portion 30.

[0033] Furthermore, since the tank body 20 has a second gripping portion 33 provided on one side 20a that can be gripped, the options for gripping the liquid tank 10 when carrying it are expanded. In addition, when connecting the hose H to the discharge portion 40 or when changing the direction of the connected hose H, it becomes possible to handle the liquid tank 10 while maintaining its posture.

[0034] The present invention has been described above based on the above embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and can naturally be modified as appropriate without departing from the present invention. In other words, all other embodiments, examples, and operational techniques made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are, of course, included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 10: Liquid Tank 20: Tank body 21: Bottom surface part 21a: Inclined surface 27: Opening 28: Cover part 30: First gripping part 33: Second gripping part 40: Discharge part 41: Valve mechanism S: Internal space H: Hose Ha: Joint

Claims

1. A tank body that partitions the internal space into which liquid can be filled, The tank body is provided with a discharge section located at the lower end of one side of the tank body, which is capable of discharging the liquid inside the tank body. The discharge section has a valve mechanism for opening and closing the flow of fluid and is a one-touch type connector that allows the hose fitting to be attached and detached. A liquid tank characterized by the following features.

2. The bottom surface that demarcates the lower part of the internal space of the tank body includes an inclined surface that slopes from above the discharge section toward the discharge section. The liquid tank according to feature 1.

3. The tank body has an opening located at the top into which liquid can be filled into the internal space, and a lid that can be opened and closed to close the opening. A liquid tank according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The tank body has a first gripping portion located at the top that can be gripped. A liquid tank according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The tank body has a second gripping portion provided on one side that can be gripped. The liquid tank according to feature 4.

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