CN217408499U

CN217408499U - Discharge unit for drink supplier

Info

Publication number: CN217408499U
Application number: CN202221028441.9U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 金之勋; 宋珖锡
Original assignee: Yuanfeng Co ltd
Current assignee: Yuanfeng Co ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-19
Filing date: 2022-04-28
Publication date: 2022-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2032-04-28
Also published as: KR20230013332A; KR102566986B1

Abstract

The utility model provides a discharge unit for beverage supply ware, it is located in the beverage supply ware that is used for supplying the drink to can discharge the drink according to user operation, a serial communication port, include: a housing having an inlet through which a beverage flowing along a supply pipe provided in the beverage dispenser flows, a discharge port through which the beverage is discharged, and a guide chamber connecting the inlet and the discharge port; a plug assembly which is movably disposed in the guide chamber and includes a plug capable of opening and closing the discharge port; and a working member provided to the housing so as to be operable by a user to move the plug assembly, the plug assembly having an air passage through which air flowing into the housing can flow to the discharge port.

Description

Discharge unit for drink supplier

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a discharge unit for a drink supplier, and more particularly, to a discharge unit for a drink supplier, which can discharge a drink in a manner of preventing the drink from remaining in a discharge port through which the drink passes.

Background

Recently, due to the influence of environmental pollution, the use of drink suppliers that supply purified water to users without directly using tap water has been widespread in homes or offices. As the drink supply device, there are various devices such as a water purifier for purifying raw water such as tap water by a filter and supplying the purified raw water to a user, and a hot/cold water supply device for supplying cold water to a user from a water tank filled in an exchangeable water tank. Water purifiers and cold and hot water purifiers are also known as water purifiers.

A water purifier is a device for filtering water by a physical, chemical method to remove impurities, and is configured to receive water from the outside, and to discharge it after being purified by a water purifying filter so that a user can drink it. The water purifier may be classified into a direct connection type directly connected to a tap water pipe and a storage type in which a drink is contained in a container so as to pass through a filter according to its form. Currently, most water purifiers employ a structure in which a device capable of heating or cooling water is separately provided inside so that cold water and hot water can be supplied.

In the case of a water purifier capable of supplying cold and hot water, raw water is distributed to a cold water tank and a hot water tank. The cold water tank and the hot water tank are connected to the discharge unit through supply pipes, respectively, and discharged through the discharge unit.

However, in the conventional discharge unit, when the valve closes the discharge port after the beverage is discharged, residual beverage remains in the discharge port. The residual beverage left in the discharge port falls over time to wet the surroundings of the beverage dispenser or leave water scale.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Korean granted patent publication No. 2207803 (2021.01.20)

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a discharge unit for a beverage supplier that discharges a beverage in such a manner that air flows into a discharge port when the discharge port from which the beverage is discharged is closed, so as to prevent residual beverage from remaining in the discharge port.

The purpose of the utility model can be realized by the following technical scheme.

The utility model provides a discharge unit for beverage supply ware, it is located in the beverage supply ware that is used for supplying the drink to can discharge the drink according to user operation, discharge unit for the beverage supply ware includes: a housing having an inlet through which a beverage flowing along a supply pipe provided in the beverage dispenser flows, a discharge port through which the beverage is discharged, and a guide chamber connecting the inlet and the discharge port; a plug assembly which is movably disposed in the guide chamber and includes a plug capable of opening and closing the discharge port; and a working member provided to the housing so as to be operable by a user to move the plug assembly, the plug assembly having an air passage through which air flowing into the housing can flow to the discharge port.

Wherein the air passage is formed to pass air to an inside of the stopper.

Wherein the stopper is elastically deformable and divides an inner space of the housing into the guide chamber and an air chamber separated from the guide chamber, the air passage being connected with the air chamber.

Wherein the stopper includes: a hollow body portion which is in close contact with the inner surface of the housing and has a plug chamber formed therein; a cover portion connected to the hollow body portion so as to be capable of opening and closing the discharge port by being in contact with or spaced from a seat portion provided inside the housing; and a plug hole connected to the plug chamber and formed in the cover so as to be open to the discharge port side, wherein the plug member includes a plunger including a body connected to the operating member and a head connected to the body so as to be inserted into the plug hole and coupled to the plug, and the air passage is formed so as to allow air to pass through the plug hole.

Wherein the air passage is formed between the cover portion and the head portion of the stopper.

Wherein the air passage includes a guide hole formed in the head portion so as to penetrate the head portion in a moving direction of the stopper in such a manner as to connect the stopper chamber and the discharge port.

Wherein the head portion includes: a first flange portion disposed in the chamber of the plunger and contacting the lid portion; a second flange portion that is spaced apart from the first flange portion in a moving direction of the plug and is disposed below the first flange portion so as to face the first flange portion; and a neck portion having a width smaller than a width of the first flange portion and a width of the second flange portion and inserted into the tap hole to connect the first flange portion and the second flange portion, the air passage including: a first guide groove formed in the first flange portion so as to penetrate the first flange portion in a plug movement direction; and a second guide groove formed in the second flange portion so as to penetrate the second flange portion in a moving direction of the plug.

Wherein the plunger includes a projection projecting from the head in such a manner as to be able to enter the discharge opening and push out the beverage remaining in the discharge opening from the discharge opening.

The discharge unit for a drink supplier includes a movable member provided to the housing so as to connect the plug assembly and the operating member, the movable member having a shaft inserted into a housing hole formed in one side of the housing so as to be open to the outside of the housing, a part of the shaft being disposed outside the housing and being capable of moving in a longitudinal direction by being connected to the operating member, and air outside the housing flowing into the housing through the housing hole.

Wherein a passage for flowing air into the inside of the housing is formed on an outer surface of the shaft.

The utility model has the following effects.

In the discharge unit of the present invention, air flows into the discharge port through the air passage provided inside the stopper in a state where the discharge port is blocked by the stopper after the beverage discharge operation based on the operation of the operation member is completed. Therefore, the beverage can be discharged in a manner that prevents the beverage from remaining in the discharge port after the discharge operation is completed.

Further, in the discharge unit of the present invention, since the beverage can be discharged in such a manner that the beverage is prevented from remaining in the discharge port, it is possible to prevent the beverage left in the discharge port from falling down to wet the beverage supplier or the periphery of the beverage supplier or to cause a problem of leaving water scales.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view schematically illustrating a beverage supplier provided with a discharge unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a discharge unit according to an embodiment of the present invention in a cutaway manner.

Fig. 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views illustrating a discharge unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing a state in which a discharge port of a discharge unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is opened.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a state in which the discharge port of the discharge unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is closed.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing a discharge unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a plunger of the discharge unit shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing a discharge unit of still another embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numerals

10: beverage supplier, 11: body, 12: case, 13: supply tube, 100, 200, 300: discharge unit, 110: housing, 111: housing main body, 112: internal space, 113: inlet, 114: discharge port, 115: seat portion, 117: guide chamber, 118: air chamber, 120: cap, 121: shell aperture, 125: guide member, 130: valve assembly, 131: movable member, 132: movable member main body, 136: shaft, 137: path, 140: connecting member, 142, 210, 310: plug assembly, 143, 211, 311: plunger, 144: body portion, 146, 212, 312: head, 150: projection, 152: plug, 153: hollow body portion, 154: plug chamber, 156: a cover portion, 157: jack, 160, 223, 316: air passage, 165: working member, 213: first flange portion, 214: first guide groove, 216: second flange portion, 217: second guide groove, 219: neck, 314: and (4) a guide hole.

Detailed Description

The discharge unit for a drink supplier of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side view schematically showing a beverage supplier provided with a discharge unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 2 is a perspective view of the discharge unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is cut to show the discharge unit, and fig. 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of the discharge unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the discharging unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be disposed in the beverage supplier 10 for supplying beverage to discharge the beverage from the beverage supplier 10 and supply the beverage to a user. A tank 12 storing drinks is provided inside the drink supplier 10, and the discharge unit 100 may be operated by a user to discharge the drinks stored in the tank 12. The discharge unit 100 is provided at one side of the body 11 of the drink supplier 10 in such a manner as to be connected to the supply pipe 13 connected to the tank 12. As the drink stored in the tank 12, various drinks such as cold water, hot water, purified water, and beverage can be used.

The discharge unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can prevent the beverage from remaining in the discharge port 114 in a manner that air flows to the discharge port 114 after the beverage is discharged.

The conventional discharge unit has a problem in that the beverage is left at the discharge port due to the negative pressure inside the discharge port after the beverage is discharged, and the beverage remaining at the discharge port drops from the discharge port with the passage of time, but the discharge unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can solve such a problem of the related art.

The discharge unit 100 includes a housing 110 through which a drink can pass, a valve assembly 130 provided inside the housing 110 in order to restrict discharge of the drink passing through the housing 110, and a working member 165 connected to the valve assembly 130 in such a manner that the valve assembly 130 can be operated by a user.

The housing 110 includes a housing main body 111, and a cap 120 coupled to an upper side of the housing main body 111. An inner space 112 in which the valve assembly 130 is disposed is provided inside the outer case 110.

An inlet 113 into which the beverage flowing along the supply pipe 13 flows and a discharge port 114 for discharging the beverage are provided in the housing main body 111. The inlet 113 and the discharge port 114 are connected by the inner space 112. The inner space 112 is divided into a guide chamber 117 through which the drink can pass, and an air chamber 118 separated from the guide chamber 117 in such a manner that air can flow in from the outside of the housing 110. Beverage flowing into inlet 113 may flow through guide chamber 117 towards discharge outlet 114. A seat portion 115, to which a portion of the valve assembly 130 can contact, is provided in the guide chamber 117. The support portion 115 is provided on the inner surface of the housing main body 111 so as to surround the discharge port 114. When the valve assembly 130 is in contact with the seating portion 115, the discharge port 114 is closed; when the valve assembly 130 is spaced apart from the seat portion 115, the discharge port 114 is opened, so that the beverage guided to the chamber 117 can be discharged to the discharge port 114.

The seat portion 115 is shown as a ring shape protruding from the inner surface of the housing main body 111 and surrounding the periphery of the discharge port 114, but the seat portion 115 may be provided in various other forms capable of contacting the valve assembly 130 to prevent the beverage from flowing through the discharge port 114.

The cap 120 is coupled to the case main body 111 to cover the open upper portion of the case main body 111. A housing hole 121 is formed in the cap 120. Air may flow into the interior space 112 of the housing 110 through the housing apertures 121.

In addition to the configuration including the housing main body 111 and the cap 120 as shown in the figure, the housing 110 may be modified to be coupled to the body 11 of the beverage dispenser 10 to discharge the beverage, and various other configurations of the valve assembly 130 can be accommodated.

A guide member 125 supporting the valve assembly 130 is provided at the inner side of the housing 110. The guide member 125 has a through hole 126 through which the plug assembly 142 of the valve assembly 130 can pass, and a through hole 127 through which air can pass.

Valve assembly 130 includes a movable member 131 coupled to a working member 165, a coupling member 140 coupled to movable member 131, and a plug assembly 142 coupled to movable member 131 through coupling member 140.

Movable member 131 engages working member 165 to couple working member 165 and plug assembly 142. The movable member 131 includes a movable member body 132 connected to the plug assembly 142, and a shaft 136 extending from the movable member body 132 and inserted into the housing hole 121. A part of shaft 136 is disposed outside of housing 110, and the part disposed outside of housing 110 is connected to operating member 165. Movable member 131 may move as working member 165 is operated by the user. The movable member main body 132 includes a first insertion groove 133 into which the plug assembly 142 is inserted, and a second insertion groove 134 into which the connection member 140 is inserted. The first insertion groove 133 and the second insertion groove 134 are connected inside the movable member main body 132.

A passage 137 for allowing air to flow into the interior of the housing 110 is formed on the outer surface of the shaft 136. When the outer surface of the shaft 136 contacts the inner surface of the cap 120 without a gap between the cap 120 and the shaft 136, there may occur a problem that air cannot smoothly flow into the inside of the housing 110 through the housing hole 121. The passage 137 of the shaft 136 is provided in the form of a groove on the outer surface of the shaft 136, so that a gap through which air can pass is formed between the cap 120 and the shaft 136. Accordingly, air outside the housing 110 may smoothly flow into the inside of the housing 110 through the passage 137 of the shaft 136.

Although the figure shows that a plurality of passages 137 linearly formed along the longitudinal direction of the shaft 136 are provided around the shaft 136, the shape, number, and position of the passages 137 may be variously changed.

The coupling member 140 is disposed inside the movable member body 132 to couple the movable member 131 and the plug assembly 142. A portion of the plug assembly 142 is inserted into the first insertion groove 133, and the connection member 140 is inserted into the second insertion groove 134. Coupling member 140 engages a portion of plug assembly 142 inside movable member body 132 so that plug assembly 142 and movable member 131 can be coupled. Thus, as the movable member 131 moves, the plug assembly 142 may be interlocked with the movable member 131.

The plug assembly 142 may contact the seat portion 115 or be spaced apart from the seat portion 115 to open and close the discharge port 114 when moving in conjunction with the movable member 131 while the inner space 112 of the housing 110 moves. The plug assembly 142 includes a plunger 143 connected to the movable member 131, and a plug 152 coupled to the plunger 143 in a manner capable of contacting the seat portion 115.

Plunger 143 includes a body portion 144 coupled to movable member 131, and a head portion 146 provided at a distal end of body portion 144 and coupled to plug 152. At least a portion of the head portion 146 has a width greater than a width of the body portion 144. The head groove 148 is provided in a ring shape at a middle portion of the head 146. A projection 150 that can enter the discharge port 114 is protrusively provided at the tip of the head 146. When the plug assembly 142 descends toward the discharge port 114 side and comes into contact with the seating portion 115, the projection 150 may enter the discharge port 114 to push the beverage remaining in the discharge port 114 to the outside of the discharge port 114.

The stopper 152 may block the discharge port 114 by being coupled to the head portion 146 of the plunger 143 and coming into contact with the seat portion 115. The plug 152 is made of an elastically deformable material and deforms to stably abut against the seat portion 115 when coming into contact with the seat portion 115. The plug 152 includes a hollow main body portion 153 provided with a plug chamber 154 inside, and a cover portion 156 connected to the hollow main body portion 153 in a manner capable of contacting the seat portion 115. A receptacle 157 is formed in the cap portion 156. The plug hole 157 is connected to the plug chamber 154 and is open to the discharge port 114 side. Therefore, air in the plug chamber 154 can flow toward the discharge port 114 through the plug hole 157. An inner edge 158 inserted into the head groove 148 of the plunger 143 is provided in the tap hole 157. The inner edge portion 158 is formed in a ring shape corresponding to the head groove 148.

A portion of the plug 152 may contact the inner face of the housing 110 to divide the inner space 112 of the housing 110 into the guide chamber 117 and the air chamber 118. The guide chamber 117 is disposed below the plug 152 and around the outside of the plug 152, and the air chamber 118 is disposed above the plug 152 so as to be connected to the plug chamber 154 of the plug 152. Thus, beverage flowing into inlet 113 of housing 110 may flow through guide chamber 117 to discharge outlet 114, while air flowing through housing aperture 121 of housing 110 may flow from air chamber 118 to discharge outlet 114 by way of plug chamber 154 and plug aperture 157.

The plug assembly 142 has an air passage 160 that allows air flowing into the interior of the housing 110 to flow toward the discharge port 114. The air passage 160 is provided in a form to allow air to pass through the tap hole 157. Further, the air passage 160 is formed separately from the guide chamber 117 and connected to the discharge port 114. Specifically, an air passage 160 is formed between the cap portion 156 and the head portion 146 of the plug 152. Since the head portion 146 and the cap portion 156 are not adhered by an adhesive, or a sealing substance is applied between the head portion 146 and the cap portion 156, or the head portion 146 is coupled to the stopper 152 in such a manner as to completely seal the tap hole 157, a fine gap is provided between the cap portion 156 and the head portion 146. In addition, the gap may form an air passage 160 through which air may pass. In a state where the stopper 152 is in contact with the seating portion 115 to block the discharge port 114, air may flow into the discharge port 114 through the air passage 160, thereby allowing the beverage to be discharged without remaining in the discharge port 114.

In addition to the arrangement including the plunger 143 and the stopper 152 in the illustrated embodiment, the stopper assembly 142 may be changed to a variety of other arrangements that are provided to be interlocked with the operating member 165 and can open and close the discharge port 114.

In addition to the arrangement in which the movable member 131 and the plug assembly 142 are connected by the connecting member 140 as shown in the figure, the valve assembly 130 may be changed to a variety of other arrangements including the plug assembly 142 that can open and close the discharge port 114 in conjunction with the operating member 165.

The working member 165 is disposed outside the housing 110 so as to be capable of interlocking with the plug assembly 142, and can be operated by a user. The working member 165 includes a hinge portion 166 coupled to the shaft 136 of the movable member 131. The working member 165 is hinge-coupled to the shaft 136 by a hinge portion 166. The user can rotate the working member 165 centering on the hinge portion 166 by pushing or pulling the working member 165. The operating member 165 can move the movable member 131 in the up-down direction by rotating in a state where a part thereof is in contact with the outer surface of the housing 110.

As shown, the working member 165 may be modified to a variety of other configurations that can be operated by a user to move the valve assembly 130, in addition to a lever type that is rotated by the user to move the valve assembly 130.

A method of discharging the beverage by the discharging unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Fig. 5 illustrates a state in which the discharge port 114 of the discharge unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is opened.

When the user pushes or pulls the operation member 165, the operation member 165 moves the movable member 131 upward. When the movable member 131 moves, the plunger 143 connected to the movable member 131 rises and pulls the lid portion 156 of the stopper 152 in a direction away from the pedestal portion 115. At this time, the cover portion 156 is spaced apart from the seating portion 115 such that the discharge port 114 is opened and the beverage flowing into the inlet 113 of the outer case 110 is discharged from the guide chamber 117 through the discharge port 114. During the movement of the cover portion 156, the hollow body portion 153 of the plug 152 can be elastically deformed while maintaining the state in which the inner surface of the housing 110 is in close contact with each other to partition the guide chamber 117 and the air chamber 118. In addition, when the plunger 143 lifts the cover portion 156, the head portion 146 of the plunger 143 abuts against the inner surface of the cover portion 156, so that a gap through which a drink can pass is not generated between the head portion 146 and the cover portion 156.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 6, when the user returns the working member 165 to the home position, the plug assembly 142 is lowered to the home position. At this time, the cap portion 156 of the stopper 152 abuts against the seat portion 115 to close the discharge port 114 and prevent the beverage from being discharged through the discharge port 114. In addition, the air inside the housing 110 flows into the discharge port 114 through the air passage 160 inside the plug 152. Therefore, the beverage remaining in the discharge port 114 can be discharged from the discharge port 114. Since the air supply through the air passage 160 is performed at the same time when the stopper 152 closes the discharge port 114, the discharge of the beverage remaining in the discharge port 114 can be performed at almost the same time as the stopper 152 closes the discharge port 114.

While the air inside the outer case 110 flows toward the discharge port 114 through the air passage 160, the air outside the outer case 110 flows into the inside of the outer case 110 through the case hole 121 of the outer case 110. The air flowing into the housing 110 through the housing hole 121 can flow toward the plug chamber 154 through the through hole 126 and the through hole 127 of the guide member 125, and flow from the plug chamber 154 to the discharge port 114 through the air passage 160.

On the other hand, fig. 7 is a sectional view showing a discharge unit 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a plunger 211 of the discharge unit 200 shown in fig. 7.

The discharge unit 200 shown in fig. 7 only partially deforms the configuration of the plug assembly 210, as compared to the discharge unit 100 described above.

The stopper assembly 210 includes a plunger 211 coupled with the movable member 131, and a stopper 152 combined with the plunger 211 in a manner capable of contacting with the seat portion 115. The plug 152 is the same as previously described.

The plunger 211 includes a body portion 144 coupled to the movable member 131, and a head portion 212 provided at a distal end of the body portion 144 and coupled to the stopper 152. At least a portion of the head portion 212 has a width greater than a width of the body portion 144.

The head portion 212 includes a first flange portion 213, a second flange portion 216 spaced apart from the first flange portion 213 in the moving direction of the stopper 152, and a neck portion 219 connecting the first flange portion 213 and the second flange portion 216. The first flange 213 is disposed in the plug chamber 154 inside the plug 152 and contacts the lid 156. The second flange portion 216 is disposed below the first flange portion 213 so as to face the first flange portion 213, and is positioned in the plug hole 157 of the plug 152. The width of the second flange portion 216 is smaller than the width of the first flange portion 213. The neck 219 is inserted into the tap 157 to connect the first flange portion 213 and the second flange portion 216. The neck 219 has a width less than the width of the second flange portion 216. A head groove 221 into which the inner edge portion 158 of the plug 152 is inserted is formed between the first flange portion 213 and the second flange portion 216.

A first guide groove 214 penetrating the first flange portion 213 in the moving direction of the plug 152 is formed in the first flange portion 213. The air in the plug chamber 154 can flow toward the second flange portion 216 through the first guide groove 214.

A second guide groove 217 is formed in the second flange portion 216 so as to penetrate the second flange portion 216 in the moving direction of the plug 152. The air passing through the first guide groove 214 can flow toward the discharge port 114 by the second guide groove 217.

In addition, the plug assembly 210 has an air passage 223 capable of flowing air flowing into the inside of the housing 110 toward the discharge port 114. The air passage 223 is provided in such a manner that air inside the housing 110 passes through the first guide groove 214 and the second guide groove 217 of the plunger 211 at a time. That is, the air passage 223 includes the first guide groove 214 and the second guide groove 217 of the plunger 211.

The number or position of the first guide grooves 214 and the second guide grooves 217 forming the air passage 223 is not limited to the illustration, but may be variously changed.

On the other hand, fig. 9 is a sectional view showing a discharge unit 300 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

The discharge unit 300 shown in fig. 9 is only partially deformed in the configuration of the plug assembly 310, compared to the discharge unit 100 described above.

The plug assembly 310 includes a plunger 311 coupled to the movable member 131, and a plug 152 coupled to the plunger 311 in a manner capable of contacting the seat portion 115. The plug 152 is the same as previously described.

The plunger 311 includes a body portion 144 coupled to the movable member 131, and a head portion 312 provided at a distal end of the body portion 144 and coupled to the stopper 152. The head 312 is coupled to the plug 152 in such a manner that at least a portion thereof is inserted into the receptacle 157 of the plug 152. A guide hole 314 penetrating the head portion 312 in the moving direction of the plug 152 is formed in the head portion 312. The guide hole 314 is connected to the plug chamber 154 of the plug 152 and is open to the discharge port 114 side.

The guide hole 314 forms an air passage 316 capable of allowing air flowing into the inside of the housing 110 to flow toward the discharge port 114. That is, the air passage 316 is provided in such a manner that the air in the casing 110 flows toward the discharge port 114 through the guide hole 314.

The number or position of the guide holes 314 forming the air passage 316 is not limited to the illustration, but may be variously modified.

Although the present invention has been described above by way of preferred examples, the scope of the invention is not limited to the forms described and illustrated.

For example, although the discharge unit is shown to be disposed in the beverage dispenser 10 having the tank 12 disposed inside, the discharge unit of the present invention may be disposed in a drink-through beverage dispenser for use.

Further, the discharge unit of the present invention may include a spring applying an elastic force to the movable member or the plug assembly in order to move the valve assembly.

While the invention has been illustrated and described above with reference to the preferred embodiments for illustrating the principles of the invention, the invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities so illustrated and described. Rather, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A discharge unit for a beverage dispenser, which is provided in a beverage dispenser for supplying a beverage and is capable of discharging the beverage according to a user operation, comprising:

a housing having an inlet through which a beverage flowing along a supply pipe provided in the beverage dispenser flows, a discharge port through which the beverage is discharged, and a guide chamber connecting the inlet and the discharge port;

a plug assembly which is movably disposed in the guide chamber and includes a plug capable of opening and closing the discharge port; and

a working member provided to the housing in such a manner that the plug assembly can be moved by being operated by a user,

the plug assembly has an air passage capable of flowing air flowing into the inside of the housing toward the discharge port.

2. The discharge unit for a beverage dispenser according to claim 1,

the air passage is formed to pass air to an inner side of the stopper.

3. The discharge unit for a beverage dispenser according to claim 2,

the stopper is elastically deformable and divides an inner space of the housing into the guide chamber and an air chamber separated from the guide chamber,

the air passage is connected to the air chamber.

4. The discharge unit for a beverage dispenser according to claim 3,

the stopper includes:

a hollow body portion which is in close contact with the inner surface of the housing and has a plug chamber formed therein;

a cover portion connected to the hollow body portion so as to be capable of opening and closing the discharge port by being in contact with or spaced from a seat portion provided inside the housing; and

a plug hole connected to the plug chamber and formed in the cover portion so as to be open to the discharge port side,

the plug assembly includes a plunger including a body portion connected to the operating member and a head portion connected to the body portion so as to be inserted into the plug hole and coupled to the plug,

the air passage is formed to pass air through the tap hole.

5. The discharge unit for a beverage dispenser according to claim 4,

the air passage is formed between the cover portion and the head portion of the stopper.

6. The discharge unit for a beverage dispenser according to claim 4,

the air passage includes a guide hole formed in the head portion so as to penetrate the head portion in the moving direction of the stopper in such a manner as to connect the stopper chamber and the discharge port.

7. The discharge unit for a beverage dispenser according to claim 4,

the head portion includes:

a first flange portion disposed in the chamber of the plunger and contacting the cap portion;

a second flange portion that is spaced apart from the first flange portion in a moving direction of the plug and is disposed below the first flange portion so as to face the first flange portion; and

a neck portion having a width smaller than a width of the first flange portion and a width of the second flange portion and inserted into the tap hole to connect the first flange portion and the second flange portion,

the air passage includes:

a first guide groove formed in the first flange portion so as to penetrate the first flange portion in a plug movement direction; and

and a second guide groove formed in the second flange portion so as to penetrate the second flange portion in a moving direction of the plug.

8. The discharge unit for a beverage dispenser according to claim 4,

the plunger includes a projection projecting from the head in such a manner as to be able to enter the discharge opening and push out the beverage remaining in the discharge opening from the discharge opening.

9. The discharge unit for a drink dispenser according to claim 1,

including a movable member provided to the housing in such a manner as to connect the plug assembly and the working member,

the movable member includes a shaft which is inserted into a housing hole formed in one side of the housing so as to be open to the outside of the housing, a part of the shaft being disposed outside the housing, and the shaft being capable of moving in the longitudinal direction by being connected to the operating member,

air outside the housing flows into the interior of the housing through the housing hole.

10. The discharge unit for a beverage dispenser according to claim 9,

a passage for flowing air into the inside of the housing is formed on an outer surface of the shaft.