Container Connection Module

Abstract

To provide a container connection module that enables a beverage container to be used as a water supply device in a refrigerator with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A container connection module 40 includes: a container connection part 44 to be connected to a mouth part 43 of a beverage container 42; and an outflow adjustment part 45 that blocks a beverage from flowing out of the beverage container 42 during when a user does not perform operation, and allows the beverage to flow out from the beverage container 42 during when the user performs operation. In the container connection module 40, the container connection part 44 has a shape in which an outer diameter gets smaller toward a container side, and a gap between the container connection part 44 and the mouth part 43 is sealed by bringing an outside face of the container connection part 44 into contact with an inside wall of the mouth part 43 of the beverage container 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container connection module. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, refrigerators equipped with a water supply mechanism as described in Patent Document 1 have been known. In this refrigerator, a water supply tank for storing drinking water is disposed inside an insulated door that closes a refrigerator compartment formed in the upper part of an insulated box, a hollow water supply chamber is formed on the outer surface of the insulated door, and a water injection lever is disposed inside the water supply chamber. Also, a water injection unit that communicates with the water supply tank is disposed at the upper back side of the water supply chamber.

[0003] In the water supply compartment of the refrigerator having the above-mentioned configuration, when a user presses a cup against the water filling lever, cooled drinking water is supplied from the water supply tank through the water filling section to the cup. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-36061 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in a refrigerator equipped with the above-mentioned water supply mechanism, it is necessary to provide a water supply tank dedicated to water supply on the inner surface of the insulated door, and if the drinking water in the water supply tank is insufficient, the user needs to supply drinking water to the water supply tank, which causes a problem that the operation of the water supply mechanism is complicated. In addition, when tap water is supplied to the water supply tank, there is a problem that the safety of the tap water is not necessarily guaranteed depending on the country or region where the refrigerator is used.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a container connection module that has a simple configuration and allows a beverage container to be used as a water supply device in a refrigerator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a container connection module that is attached to a beverage container in which a beverage is to be placed, the container connection module comprising a housing portion, a container connection portion, a tube portion, and a check valve, the housing portion being a member having a substantially cylindrical shape, and being partially opened to form an opening portion, the container connection portion being attached to an end side of the housing portion, and the beverage container Drinking The pipe portion is configured to be inserted into and connected to the nozzle portion, Through the inside of the container connection part, a check valve configured to connect the opening and the check valve, the check valve configured to allow air introduced from the pipe portion to flow to the beverage container side while preventing the beverage from flowing to the pipe portion side, and the check valve is disposed outside the end of the container connection portion in the axial direction of the housing portion, The beverage supplied from the beverage container to the outside passes through the container connection portion and the inside of the housing portion, and the air introduced from the outside into the beverage container passes through the opening, the tube portion, and the check valve. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a container connection module that has a simple configuration and allows a beverage container to be used as a water supply device in a refrigerator. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a container connection module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a container connection module according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is an exploded perspective view and (B) is a cross-sectional view. [Diagram 5]1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing an intermediate stage of connecting a beverage container to the container connection module, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the container connection module and the beverage container are connected. [Figure 6] This is an oblique view showing the situation where a beverage container connected to a container connection module of an embodiment of the present invention is being installed into an insulated door of a refrigerator, (A) is an oblique view showing the installation process in progress, and (B) is an oblique view showing the installed state. [Figure 7] This figure shows the situation in which a beverage container connected to a container connection module of an embodiment of the present invention is installed in an insulated door of a refrigerator, where (A) is a cross-sectional view of the insulated door and (B) is an oblique view of the insulated door of the supply lever from the outside. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the relative configuration between a container connection module and a supply lever in an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is an oblique view showing the container connection module and a supply lever, and (B) is an oblique view showing the supply lever. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing a container connection module according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a cross-sectional view showing a container connection module in a blocked state blocking the outflow of drinking water, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing a container connection module in an open state allowing the outflow of drinking water. [Figure 10] A diagram showing the configuration of an insulated door into which a beverage container to which a container connection module of an embodiment of the present invention is connected is incorporated, where (A) shows a movable lid in an open state and (B) shows the movable lid in a closed state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A container connection module 40 and a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are generally given the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted. Furthermore, the terms up, down, front, back, left and right are used as appropriate, and left and right refer to the left and right when the refrigerator 10 is viewed from the front. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a refrigerator 10 having a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment is exemplified, but the refrigerator 10 may have only a freezer compartment or only a refrigerator compartment.

[0011] 1 is a front view showing the exterior of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator 10 includes an insulated box 11 as a main body, and a storage compartment for storing food and the like is formed inside the insulated box 11. The storage compartments include a refrigerator compartment 15 at the top, an upper freezer compartment 18 below that, a lower freezer compartment 19 below that, and a vegetable compartment 20 at the bottom. Both the upper freezer compartment 18 and the lower freezer compartment 19 are storage compartments in the freezing temperature range, and in the following description, they may be collectively referred to as a freezer compartment 17. Here, the upper freezer compartment 18 may be divided into a left and a right compartment, and one side may be used as an ice-making compartment.

[0012] The front of the insulated box body 11 is open, and an insulated door 21 or the like is provided at each opening corresponding to each storage compartment so as to be able to be opened and closed. The insulated door 21 divides and closes the front of the refrigerator compartment 15 in the left-right direction, and the outer upper and lower ends in the width direction of the insulated door 21 are rotatably attached to the insulated box body 11. In addition, the insulated door 23, the insulated door 24, and the insulated door 25 are each integrally combined with a storage container, and are supported by the insulated box body 11 so as to be able to be drawn out toward the front of the refrigerator 10. Specifically, the insulated door 23 closes the upper freezer compartment 18, the insulated door 24 closes the lower freezer compartment 19, and the insulated door 25 closes the vegetable compartment 20.

[0013] In this embodiment, a beverage supply section 54 is formed in the heat-insulating door 21 that closes the left portion of the refrigerator compartment 15. As described later, the beverage supply section 54 is a recessed portion for supplying drinking water cooled inside the refrigerator compartment 15 to a cup 61.

[0014] 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of refrigerator 10. Insulated box 11, which is the main body of refrigerator 10, is composed of outer box 12 made of steel plate with an open front, and inner box 13 made of synthetic resin with an open front, disposed with a gap inside outer box 12. The gap between outer box 12 and inner box 13 is filled with foamed polyurethane insulation material 14. Each of the above-mentioned insulated doors 21, etc. also adopts the same insulation structure as insulated box 11.

[0015] The refrigerator compartment 15 and the freezer compartment 17 located below it are separated by a heat-insulating partition wall. The freezer compartment 17 and the vegetable compartment 20 are also separated by a heat-insulating partition wall.

[0016] A refrigerating compartment supply air duct is formed on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment 15 as a supply air duct for supplying cool air to the refrigerating compartment 15.

[0017] A freezer compartment supply air duct is formed at the rear of the freezer compartment 17, through which the cold air cooled by the cooler 22 flows into the freezer compartment 17. Further rearward of the freezer compartment supply air duct, a cooling compartment 26 is formed, and inside the cooling compartment 26, the cooler 22, which is an evaporator for cooling the air circulating inside the compartment, is disposed.

[0018] The air inside the cooling compartment 26 cooled by the cooler 22 is sent by the blower 16 to the refrigerator compartment 15, the freezer compartment 17, and the vegetable compartment 20.

[0019] The cooler 22 is connected to a compressor 27, a radiator (not shown), and a capillary tube (not shown) serving as expansion means via refrigerant piping, and constitutes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle circuit.

[0020] A beverage container 42 is placed inside the insulating door 21, and the drinking water inside the beverage container 42 is also cooled inside the refrigerator compartment 15. In addition, the drinking water supplied from the beverage container 42 is supplied to a cup 61 that the user places in the beverage supply unit 54.

[0021] 3 is a perspective view showing the container connection module 40. The container connection module 40 mainly includes a container connection section 44 and an outflow adjustment section 45. The container connection module 40 is attached to a drinking spout section 43 of a beverage container 42 described later, and prevents the beverage from flowing out from the beverage container 42 to the outside while there is no user operation, and supplies the beverage from the beverage container 42 to a cup 61 or the like while there is a user operation.

[0022] The container connection part 44 has an outer diameter that tapers upward, and the outer surface of the container connection part 44 comes into contact with the inner wall of the drinking spout part 43 of the beverage container 42 described below, thereby sealing the gap between the container connection part 44 and the drinking spout part 43. A check valve 57 protrudes to the outside from the upper end opening of the container connection part 44.

[0023] The outflow adjustment unit 45 has a function of preventing the supply of beverage from the beverage container 42 while the user is not operating it, and of supplying beverage from the beverage container 42 while the user is operating it. A specific configuration of the outflow adjustment unit 45 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0024] The pivot engagement portion 52 is pivotally attached near the upper end of the housing portion 46, and engages with the beverage container 42 described below. Here, two pivot engagement portions 52 are attached to opposing portions of the outflow adjustment portion 45. An engagement opening 521 is formed by opening the upper portion of the pivot engagement portion 52 in a substantially rectangular shape. The engagement opening 521 is an opening that engages with a flange portion 421 of the beverage container 42, as described below.

[0025] The housing portion 46 constitutes the design portion of the container connection module 40 and has a generally cylindrical shape with an upper portion formed thicker than a lower portion. A cover portion 51 is disposed at the lower end portion of the housing portion 46 to surround the first movable cylindrical portion 48 from the outside.

[0026] The configuration of the container connecting module 40 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4(A) is an exploded perspective view showing the container connecting module 40, and Fig. 4(B) is a side cross-sectional view.

[0027] 4(A), engaging protrusions 58 protruding radially outward in a generally cylindrical shape are formed at opposing positions on the outer circumferential surface of the housing portion 46. The engaging protrusions 58 of the housing portion 46 are rotatably fitted into engaging openings 59 formed in the lower end portion of the rotating engaging portion 52. In this way, the rotating engaging portion 52 is provided on the outer surface of the housing portion 46 in a rotatable manner.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4(B), the container connection module 40 has, from the radially outer side, a housing portion 46, a first movable cylindrical portion 48, a fixed cylindrical portion 49, and a second movable cylindrical portion 50.

[0029] The first movable cylindrical part 48 is disposed inside and below the housing part 46, and is biased by a biasing member 47 to move along the axial direction in response to a user's operation. The lower end part of the first movable cylindrical part 48 has a generally conical shape that tapers downward. The lower end part of the first movable cylindrical part 48 engages with the lower end part of the second movable cylindrical part 50.

[0030] The fixed cylindrical portion 49 is a substantially cylindrical member disposed inside the housing portion 46. The upper end of the fixed cylindrical portion 49 is continuous with the housing portion 46, and the upper end of the fixed cylindrical portion 49 tapers in a substantially conical shape. The position of the fixed cylindrical portion 49 is fixed inside the container connection module 40.

[0031] The second movable cylindrical part 50 is a substantially cylindrical member built into the fixed cylindrical part 49, and has a substantially cylindrical shape with an outer diameter that gradually decreases toward the bottom. As described above, the lower end of the second movable cylindrical part 50 engages with the lower end portion of the first movable cylindrical part 48. Therefore, the second movable cylindrical part 50 receives the biasing force of the biasing member 47 and moves in the up-down direction together with the first movable cylindrical part 48.

[0032] A sealing member 62 is engaged with the outer surface of the lower end portion of the second movable cylindrical part 50. The sealing member 62 is, for example, an O-ring made of rubber or soft resin. Between the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical part 49 and the outer surface of the second movable cylindrical part 50, the sealing member 62 is compressed and deformed by the biasing force of the biasing member 47, thereby sealing the space between the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical part 49 and the inner surface of the second movable cylindrical part 50. As a result, as described later, the supply of beverage from the beverage container 42 is stopped while there is no operation by the user. On the other hand, as described later, when the first movable cylindrical part 48 moves upward by the operation of the user, the second movable cylindrical part 50 also moves upward inside the fixed cylindrical part 49 at the same time, so that the sealing member 62 moves away from the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical part 49. As a result, the beverage is supplied to the outside from the beverage container 42 through the gap between the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical part 49 and the outer surface of the second movable cylindrical part 50.

[0033] A biasing member 47, which is, for example, a coil spring, is disposed between the housing portion 46 and the first movable cylindrical portion 48. An upper end portion of the biasing member 47 abuts against a wall-like portion formed inside the housing portion 46, and a lower end portion of the biasing member 47 abuts against a step portion formed inside the first movable cylindrical portion 48. The biasing member 47 biases the first movable cylindrical portion 48 downward. As a result, the sealing member 62 attached to the outer surface tip of the second movable cylindrical portion 50 that engages with the first movable cylindrical portion 48 is pressed against the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical portion 49.

[0034] The lower end portion of the housing portion 46 is provided with a cover portion 51. The cover portion 51 surrounds and protects the first movable cylindrical portion 48.

[0035] As described above, the container connection part 44 is a substantially cylindrical member attached to the upper end of the housing part 46. The container connection part 44 is made of a material that is easily elastically deformed, such as rubber or soft resin. The container connection part 44 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and the upper end part of the outer surface has a shape in which the outer diameter becomes shorter toward the upper end. That is, the upper end outer surface of the container connection part 44 forms an inclined surface 441. The outer diameter L11 at the lower end of the inclined surface 441 is set to be equal to or larger than the maximum outer diameter of the drinking spout part 43 of the beverage container 42 described later. The outer diameter L10 at the upper end of the inclined surface 441 is set to be equal to or smaller than the minimum outer diameter of the drinking spout part 43 of the beverage container 42 described later. As a result, even if there is variation in the inner diameter of the drinking spout part 43 of the beverage container 42 described later, the outer surface of the inclined surface 441 of the container connection part 44 can be reliably fitted into the inner surface of the drinking spout part 43 of the beverage container 42.

[0036] In Japan, beverage containers 42, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 5, are distributed in two types: one with an inner diameter of the spout 43 of 20 mm, and the other with an inner diameter of the spout 43 of 21 mm. Thus, in this embodiment, as an example, the maximum outer diameter L11 of the inclined surface 441 is set to 21 mm or more, and the minimum outer diameter L10 of the inclined surface 441 is set to 20 mm or less. By setting the outer diameter of the inclined surface 441 within this range, the beverage container 42 of the container connection module 40 can be inserted without any gaps into the spout 43 of the beverage container 42, which has a different opening diameter, and the beverage can be prevented from leaking out from between the spout 43 of the container connection module 40 and the container connection portion 44 of the container connection module 40.

[0037] A pipe section 56 is built into the upper part of the housing section 46. The lower end of the pipe section 56 communicates with an opening 55 (FIG. 4(A)) formed in the housing section 46, and the upper end of the housing section 46 is led out from the opening of the container connection section 44. A check valve 57 is connected to the upper end of the pipe section 56. The check valve 57 is a valve body that allows air introduced from the pipe section 56 to flow to the beverage container 42 side, but does not allow the beverage to flow to the pipe section 56 side.

[0038] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the container connection module 40, where Figure 5(A) is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate stage of connecting a beverage container 42 and the container connection module 40, and Figure 5(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the container connection module 40 and the beverage container 42 are connected.

[0039] 5(A), a drinking spout portion 43 and a flange portion 421 are formed at an end of the beverage container 42. When attaching the container connection module 40 to the beverage container 42, first, the pivot engagement portion 52 of the container connection module 40 is pivoted radially outward to open it.

[0040] In this state, the mouth part 43 of the beverage container 42 is inserted into the container connection part 44 of the container connection module 40. As described above, the minimum outer diameter of the inclined surface 441 of the container connection part 44 is set smaller than the inner diameter of the mouth part 43. Moreover, the maximum outer diameter of the inclined surface 441 is set larger than the inner diameter of the mouth part 43. Therefore, when the container connection part 44 made of a soft material is inserted into the mouth part 43, the outer surface of the container connection part 44 comes into close contact with the inner surface of the mouth part 43, so that the beverage inside the beverage container 42 does not leak out from the contact part between the mouth part 43 and the container connection part 44.

[0041] 5(B), next, the rotating engagement portion 52 is closed radially inward. This causes the flange portion 421 of the beverage container 42 to engage with the engagement opening portion 521 of the rotating engagement portion 52, preventing the container connection module 40 from being detached from the beverage container 42.

[0042] Figure 6 is an oblique view showing the situation in which a beverage container 42 connected to a container connection module 40 is being installed into the insulated door 21 of a refrigerator 10, where Figure 6(A) is an oblique view showing the installation process in progress and Figure 6(B) is an oblique view showing the installed state.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 6(A), the inner surface of the heat-insulating door 21 is recessed toward the front to form the storage area 53. The storage area 53 is provided with a guard portion 60. The guard portion 60 is a substantially plate-shaped member, and the left and right ends are attached to the inner surface of the heat-insulating door 21 in a state in which they can slide up and down. The storage area 53 has a capacity capable of storing two beverage containers 42, for example, 2-liter PET bottles. The beverage containers 42 are stored in the storage area 53 with the container connection module 40 attached to their lower ends. When storing the beverage containers 42 in the storage area 53, the guard portion 60 is slid downward in the storage area 53. This allows the guard portion 60 to not impede the operation of storing the beverage containers 42 in the storage area 53.

[0044] Here, if the guard part 60 is lowered to insert the beverage container 42, the storage operation of the insulated door 24 becomes easier. Furthermore, by lifting the guard part 60, the beverage container 42 can be stabilized when opening and closing the insulated door 21. As shown in Fig. 6(B), by lifting the guard part 60 upward, a latch is engaged and the beverage container 42 is pressed slightly forward. Furthermore, when the guard part 60 is raised or lowered, the guard part 60 operates with itself slightly separated from the beverage container 42.

[0045] 6(B), the guard portion 60 is moved upward. As a result, the lower portion of the beverage container 42 is supported by the guard portion 60, and the beverage container 42 can be stored in the storage area 53 stably.

[0046] Figure 7 is an oblique view showing the situation in which a beverage container 42 connected to a container connection module 40 is installed in an insulated door 21 of a refrigerator 10, where Figure 7(A) is a cross-sectional view of the insulated door 21 and Figure 7(B) is an oblique view of the insulated door 21 viewed from the outside.

[0047] 7(A), when beverage container 42 is stored upside down in storage area 53, the lower end of container connection part 44 attached to beverage container 42 is exposed at the rear upper end of beverage supply part 54. Also, hook-shaped supply lever 41 is rotatably installed at the rear of beverage supply part 54.

[0048] 7(B), the beverage supply unit 54 is a cavity formed by recessing the lower part of the front surface of the insulating door 21 toward the rear. The beverage supply unit 54 has a capacity capable of accommodating, for example, two cups 61 supplied from the beverage container 42.

[0049] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the relative configuration between the container connection module 40 and the supply lever 41, where Figure 8(A) is an oblique view showing the container connection module 40 and the supply lever 41, and Figure 8(B) is an oblique view showing the supply lever 41.

[0050] 8(A), the supply lever 41 is disposed at the lower end of the container connection module 40. The upper end of the supply lever 41 is in contact with the lower end of the container connection module 40. In detail, the lower end of the first movable cylindrical portion 48 is pressed against a protrusion 414 of the supply lever 41, which will be described later, by the biasing force of the biasing member 47 shown in FIG.

[0051] 4(B), the supply lever 41 is a generally hook-shaped member and has an abutment portion 411 that extends in the up-down direction and abuts against the cup 61 described above, a contact portion 413 that extends in the front-rear direction and contacts the container connection module 40, a corner portion 412 that is a connection portion between the contact portion 413 and the abutment portion 411, and an engagement hole 415 that opens the front end of the contact portion 413. In addition, a protrusion portion 414 is formed by partially raising the rear end portion of the upper surface of the contact portion 413 upward. The supply lever 41 is rotatably connected to the main body side of the refrigerator 10 via the engagement hole 415.

[0052] With this configuration, when a user pushes the front surface of the contact portion 411 of the supply lever 41 rearward with the rear end portion of the cup 61 (not shown), the supply lever 41 rotates about the engagement hole 415 as a fulcrum, and the protrusion 414 is pushed up. As a result, as described below, the upper end portion of the contact portion 413 pushes up the first movable cylindrical portion 48 and the second movable cylindrical portion 50 of the container connection module 40, and beverage can be supplied from the beverage container 42 to the cup 61.

[0053] Figure 9 shows a container connection module 40, where Figure 9(A) is a cross-sectional view showing the container connection module 40 in a blocked state blocking the outflow of drinking water, and Figure 9(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the container connection module 40 in an open state allowing the outflow of drinking water.

[0054] 9(A), in the container connection module 40 in the shutoff state, the first movable cylindrical portion 48 and the fixed cylindrical portion 49 are not pushed up from below, so the sealing member 62 seals between the outer surface of the second movable cylindrical portion 50 and the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical portion 49. This prevents the beverage stored in the beverage container 42 from flowing out of the container connection module 40.

[0055] 9(B), in the container connection module 40 in the open state, the lower end of the first movable cylindrical part 48 is pushed up by the protrusion 414 of the supply lever 41 shown in FIG. 8(B). As a result, the second movable cylindrical part 50 is also pushed up inside the fixed cylindrical part 49. Therefore, the sealing member 62 fitted into the tip part of the second movable cylindrical part 50 is separated from the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical part 49. As a result, the beverage stored in the beverage container 42 is supplied to the cup 61 through the container connection module 40 between the second movable cylindrical part 50 and the fixed cylindrical part 49. Thereafter, when the user separates the cup 61 from the abutment part 411 shown in FIG. 8(B) due to the sufficient supply of beverage to the cup 61, the container connection module 40 returns to the shutoff state shown in FIG. 9(A), and the supply of drinking water is stopped.

[0056] The configuration of the storage area 53 of the insulated door 21 in which the beverage container 42 is incorporated will be further described with reference to Figure 10. Here, a movable lid 64 that appropriately covers the opening 63 is disposed in the storage area 53. Figure 10(A) shows the movable lid 64 in an open state, and Figure 10(B) shows the movable lid 64 in a closed state.

[0057] 10(A), an opening 63 is formed on the bottom surface of the storage area 53 for inserting the drinking spout 43 of the beverage container 42 and the container connection module 40. Here, since two beverage containers 42 are stored in the storage area 53, two openings 63 are formed. Since the openings 63 communicate the refrigerating chamber 15 with the outside, if the openings 63 are left as they are when no beverage container 42 is placed in the storage area 53, the cold air in the refrigerating chamber 15 may escape to the outside through the openings 63, which may reduce the cooling efficiency of the refrigerating chamber 15. Therefore, in this embodiment, a movable lid 64 is placed in the storage area 53.

[0058] The movable lid 64 is a plate-like member having a substantially rectangular shape, and both ends of the lower side are rotatably attached to the front end side of the lowermost part of the storage area 53. Here, the movable lid 64 is stored in an upright state on the rear side surface of the storage area 53.

[0059] 10(B), when no beverage container 42 is stored in the storage area 53, the movable lid 64 can be rotated and tilted down to close the opening 63. This prevents cool air from leaking to the outside through the opening 63. Furthermore, food and other stored items can be placed on the upper surface of the movable lid 64 for storage.

[0060] The main effects achieved by this embodiment will be described below.

[0061] According to the present invention, as shown in Figure 4 (B), the outer surface of the container connection portion 44 comes into contact with the inner wall of the drinking spout portion 43 of the beverage container 42, thereby sealing the gap between the container connection portion 44, the drinking spout portion 43, and the container connection portion 44, and preventing the beverage from leaking between them, even if the inner diameter of the drinking spout portion 43 differs depending on the type of container connection portion 44.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the second movable cylindrical portion 50 moves depending on whether or not the user operates the device, thereby stopping the supply of beverage when the user is not operating the device, and supplying beverage when the user is operating the device.

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, by surrounding the first movable cylindrical portion 48 with a cover portion 51, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally touching the first movable cylindrical portion 48, and to prevent the beverage from accidentally spilling.

[0064] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the rotational engagement portion 52 engages with the beverage container 42, so that the container connection portion 44 can be firmly attached to the drinking spout portion 43 of the beverage container 42.

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, a check valve 57 that communicates with the outside can be disposed inside the beverage container 42, so that the beverage can be smoothly supplied from the beverage container 42.

[0066] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the beverage stored in the beverage container 42 can be cooled in the refrigerator compartment 15, and the cooled beverage can be provided to the user with a simple configuration.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0068] The invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiment will be described below together with its effects.

[0069] The present invention is a container connection module attached to a drinking spout of a beverage container, comprising a container connection part inserted into and connected to the drinking spout of the beverage container, and an outflow adjustment part for stopping and allowing the supply of beverage from the beverage container, the container connection part being formed so that its outer diameter decreases toward the beverage container, and a gap between the container connection part and the drinking spout is sealed by contacting an inner wall of the drinking spout of the beverage container with an outer side surface of the container connection part. According to the present invention, by contacting the side surface of the container connection part with the inner wall of the drinking spout of the beverage container, the gap between the drinking spout part and the container connection part is sealed, and beverage leakage from between the two can be prevented, even if the inner diameter of the drinking spout differs depending on the type of container connection part.

[0070] In addition, in the present invention, the outflow adjustment part includes a substantially cylindrical housing part, a first movable tubular part arranged inside the housing part, biased by a biasing member, and provided movably along the axial direction of the housing part, a fixed tubular part formed integrally inside the housing part and having one end inserted into the first movable tubular part, and a second movable tubular part arranged inside the fixed tubular part and provided movably along the axial direction together with the first movable tubular part. Also, while an external force resisting the biasing member is not acting on the first movable tubular part, the biasing force of the biasing member seals the gap between the fixed tubular part and the second movable tubular part, stopping the supply of the beverage from the beverage container, and while an external force resisting the biasing member is acting on the first movable tubular part, a gap is formed between the fixed tubular part and the second movable tubular part, allowing the supply of the beverage from the beverage container. According to the present invention, the second movable cylindrical part moves depending on whether or not the user operates the device, thereby preventing the beverage from flowing out when the user is not operating the device, and supplying the beverage when the user is operating the device.

[0071] In addition, in the present invention, the outflow adjustment part has a cover part that surrounds the first movable cylindrical part. According to the present invention, by surrounding the first movable cylindrical part with the cover part, it is possible to prevent a user from accidentally touching the first movable cylindrical part and to prevent the beverage from accidentally spilling out.

[0072] In the present invention, the housing portion is further provided with a pivotable engagement portion that is pivotally attached to the housing portion and engages with the beverage container. According to the present invention, the pivotable engagement portion engages with the beverage container, thereby enabling the container connection portion to be firmly attached to the spout of the beverage container.

[0073] The present invention is also characterized in that the beverage container further comprises an opening formed by opening a part of the housing portion, a cylindrical tube portion built into the housing portion and having one end connected to the opening and the other end extending from the container connection portion to the outside, and a check valve connected to the other end of the tube portion. According to the present invention, the check valve communicating with the outside can be disposed inside the beverage container, and the beverage can be smoothly supplied from the beverage container.

[0074] The present invention is characterized by comprising: a door having a container connection module and closing a storage chamber, a storage area formed on an inner side surface of the door facing the storage chamber and in which the beverage container is stored with the container connection module facing downward, a beverage supply section formed on an outer side surface facing the outside and in which an end of the container connection module is disposed, and a supply lever having one end side abutting the container connection module and the other end side disposed on the beverage supply section. According to the present invention, a user can supply a beverage to the cup via the container connection module by pushing the supply lever toward the rear side with a container such as a cup.

[0075] The present invention is characterized by comprising an opening formed on the underside of the storage area and into which the container connection module is inserted, and a movable lid rotatably disposed near the storage area to close the opening. According to the present invention, when no beverage container is stored in the storage area, the opening can be closed with the movable lid, thereby preventing cold air in the refrigerator compartment from escaping to the outside through the opening. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10. Refrigerator 11 Insulated box 12 Outer box 13 Inner box 14 Insulation 15 Refrigerator 16 Blower 17 Freezer 18 Upper freezer 19 Lower Freezer 20 Vegetable compartment 21 Insulated Door 22 Cooler 23 Insulated Door 24 Insulated Door 25 Insulated Door 26 Cooling room 27 Compressor 40 Container Connection Module 41 Supply Lever 411 Contact part 412 Corner 413 Contact part 414 Protrusion 415 Engagement hole 42 Beverage containers 421 Flange part 43 Drinking mouth 44 Container connection 441 Slope 45 Outflow adjustment section 46 Housing section 47 Pressing member 48 First movable cylindrical part 49 Fixed cylindrical part 50 Second movable cylindrical part 51 Cover part 52 Rotating engagement part 521 Engagement opening 53 Storage area 54 Beverage supply section 55 Opening 56 Pipe section 57 Check valve 58 Engagement protrusion 59 Engagement opening 60 Guard section 61 Cups 62 Sealing member 63 Aperture 64 Movable lid

Claims

1. A container connection module to be attached to a beverage container in which a beverage is to be placed, The device includes a housing portion, a container connection portion, a pipe portion, and a check valve. The housing portion is a member having a generally cylindrical shape, and an opening portion is formed by partially opening the housing portion, The container connection portion is attached to an end side of the housing portion and is configured to be inserted into and connected to a drinking spout portion of the beverage container, The pipe portion is configured to connect the check valve and the opening portion through an inside of the container connection portion, The check valve is configured to allow air introduced from the pipe portion to flow toward the beverage container while preventing the beverage from flowing toward the pipe portion, and is disposed outside the end of the container connection portion in the axial direction of the housing portion, The beverage supplied from the beverage container to the outside passes through the container connection portion and the inside of the housing portion, A container connection module, characterized in that the air introduced from the outside into the beverage container passes through the opening, the pipe portion, and the check valve.

2. A container connection module as described in claim 1, characterized in that it is characterized in that it is not provided with an air inlet path and a fluid outlet path at the lower end of the housing portion.

3. A container connection module as described in claim 1, characterized in that the check valve is arranged inside an extended surface extending from the inner surface of the container connection portion.

4. The beverage container, the housing part, the container connection part, the pipe part and the check valve are incorporated into an insulated door of a refrigerator, 2. The container connection module according to claim 1, wherein the beverage container, the housing portion, the container connection portion, the pipe portion and the check valve are accommodated on the rear side of the insulating door.

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