JP2009248984A - Server for drinking water, and venting means for water storage tank used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent drinking water from being brought into contact with gas by automatically and always maintaining a water storage tank in a fully filled-up condition. <P>SOLUTION: In a server for drinking water, the drinking water w fed from a container 1 is stored in the water storage tank 10, and the drinking water w in the water storage tank 10 is fed by arranging a water duct 21 from the water storage tank 10, and opening/closing a feed valve 20 provided on the water duct 21. A vent hole 28 is formed on an upper part of the water storage tank 10, and a venting means 30 is provided in the vent hole 28. The venting means 30 has a function of preventing the drinking water w from overflowing outside the water storage tank 10 by closing the vent hole 28 when the water in the water storage tank 10 is in a full condition, the function of venting the gas (a) outside the water storage tank 10 by opening the vent hole 28 when the gas (a) is mixed in the water storage tank 10, and the function of preventing the reverse flow of the gas (a) from the outside of the water storage tank 10 when the inside in the water storage tank 10 is in a state of negative pressure with the water being in a full state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drinking water server in which drinking water such as mineral water is stored in a tank, and then the stored drinking water can be appropriately supplied.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a conventional drinking water server is configured such that a container 1 can be attached to and detached from a water guide pipe 11 and a base 17 extending upward from a water storage tank 10, and the drinking water w in the container 1 is Due to its own weight (due to a drop), it flows down into the water storage tank 10 through the water conduit 11.

  The container 1 is molded of a hard resin or the like, and the drinking water w in a state of being sterilized in advance is sealed in a unit of about 20 liters and supplied to the market in a sealed state, for example. It is what. Since the container 1 is formed of a hard resin, the shape is substantially maintained even if the drinking water w inside is reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 9 (b), the drinking water w in the container 1 gradually flows down toward the water storage tank 10, and the air in the water storage tank 10 is gradually introduced into the container 1 through the water conduit 11 ( Gas) a enters and the atmospheric pressure in the container 1 is maintained normally. At the same time, the air a in the water storage tank 10 exhausts and sucks gas from the outside through the vent hole 28 in order to eliminate the pressure difference caused by the inflow of the drinking water w.

  When the water level in the water storage tank 10 reaches the lower end of the water conduit 11 as shown in FIG. 9C, the flow of air a into the container 1 stops. For this reason, the inside of the container 1 is in a so-called negative pressure state due to the flow-down pressure of the drinking water w about to flow down by its own weight, and it is impossible to flow down the drinking water w beyond that. That is, due to the balance between the air pressure acting on the liquid surface in the water storage tank 10 and the air pressure acting on the liquid surface in the container 1, the flow of water from the container 1 to the water storage tank 10 automatically stops. ing.

A water supply pipe 21 is drawn from the water storage tank 10, and a supply valve 20 that can be opened and closed is provided in the water supply pipe 21.
If the supply valve 20 is opened, the drinking water w in the water storage tank 10 can be appropriately supplied to the outside, and if the supply valve 20 is closed, the supply is stopped.

  If the water level in the water storage tank 10 is slightly lowered from the height shown in FIG. 9C due to the supply of the drinking water w from the water pipe 21, the air a flows into the container 1 and enters the container 1. And the drinking water w starts to flow again into the water storage tank 10. When the water level in the water storage tank 10 reaches the lower end of the water conduit 11 and the inside of the container 1 is in a so-called negative pressure state, and the further flow of the drinking water w becomes impossible, the flow stops and the water tank 10 The water level is maintained.

In general, a cooling device (not shown) is provided in the water storage tank 10 to cool the drinking water in the water storage tank 10 and supply it as cold water, but it is heated separately from the water storage tank 10. Beverage provided with a water storage tank 10 (hereinafter referred to as “hot water tank 60”) provided with a device 61, and a hot water tank 60 provided with the heating device 61 and a water storage tank 10 provided with the cooling device connected by a water supply pipe 62 There is also a water server (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-104494 A

According to the drinking water server shown in FIG. 9 described above, since the gas a such as air is present in the water storage tank 10, the drinking water w inside is always in contact with the gas a.
It can be said that it is desirable for hygiene management that the drinking water w does not touch the gas a as much as possible.

  Therefore, in order to suppress the touch of the drinking water w with the gas a as much as possible, a method of always maintaining the inside of the water storage tank 10 in a full water state can be considered.

  In order to keep the inside of the water storage tank 10 full, it is necessary to attach a valve device that exhibits the following functions to the vent hole 28 of the water storage tank 10.

  In other words, the valve device has a function (exhaust function) for discharging the water a to the outside of the water storage tank 10 without leaving the gas a interposed in the water storage tank 10 as the drinking water w flows into the water storage tank 10. Desired.

  Further, when the water storage tank 10 becomes full, a function (water stop function) is required to prevent the drinking water w from overflowing through the vent hole 28.

  In addition, when the gas a is mixed into the water storage tank 10 in the full water state, a function of discharging the gas a out of the water storage tank 10 (the exhaust function) is also required.

  Further, for example, in the case where the exhaust is performed only with the drop pressure of the drinking water w from the container 1 to the water storage tank 10, if the inside of the water storage tank 10 becomes negative pressure, the gas enters the water storage tank 10 from the outside of the water storage tank 10. Since a flows backward, a function (a check function) for completely preventing the gas a from flowing backward is required.

However, a conventional valve device that can be employed in this type of water storage tank 10 has, for example, the following configuration.
1. Assuming that the inside of the water tank 10 is always at a constant pressure, the exhaust function and the water stop function can be demonstrated (the inside of the water tank is not intended to be in a negative pressure state)
2. Used when there is no obstacle to the flow of gas a from the outside of the water storage tank 10 into the water storage tank 10 or when the inside of the water storage tank 10 is in a negative pressure state, rather than storing water from the outside of the water storage tank 10 2. Properly allow the flow of gas a into the tank 10. Based on the premise that a relatively high pressure acts in the water storage tank 10, the non-return function can be demonstrated based on the large pressure difference

In this regard, the inside of the water storage tank 10 of the drinking water server has a relatively low pressure and is not an environment in which the pressure is always constant.
In addition, since the inside of the water storage tank 10 may be in a negative pressure state, each of the valve devices cannot have all the functions of the exhaust function, the water stop function, and the check function. Insufficient to maintain full water.
For this reason, the vent hole 28 must be appropriately opened and closed manually to ensure the exhaust function, water stop function, and check function. Since such a manual operation is complicated, a function capable of automatically maintaining the inside of the water storage tank always full is required.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to automatically maintain the inside of a water storage tank to be always full so that the drinking water in the water storage tank is not easily exposed to gas.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is such that the exhaust means provided in the vent hole of the water storage tank has all the functions of the water stop function, the exhaust function, and the check function. .

  That is, the configuration is such that drinking water supplied from a container is stored in a water storage tank, a water supply pipe is drawn from the water storage tank, and a supply valve that can be opened and closed is provided in the water supply pipe. In the drinking water server capable of supplying drinking water in the tank, a vent hole connecting the inside and outside of the water storage tank is formed in the upper part of the water storage tank, and an exhaust means is provided in the vent hole. When the water tank is full, the vent is closed to prevent the drinking water from overflowing from the water tank to the outside of the water tank, and when the gas enters the water tank Has a function of opening the vent hole and exhausting the gas in the water storage tank to the outside of the water storage tank, and when the water storage tank is in a negative pressure state in the full state, the water storage tank It is from outside those where the configuration having a function to prevent backflow of gas into the storage tank.

Since the exhaust means provided in the vent hole of the water storage tank closes the vent hole when the inside of the water storage tank becomes full, the water stop function can be exhibited.
Further, since the exhaust means opens the vent hole when gas is mixed into the water storage tank, the exhaust function can be exhibited.
Further, the exhaust means has a function of preventing a back flow of gas from the outside of the water tank into the water tank when the inside of the water tank becomes a negative pressure state in the full water state. The non-return function can be exhibited.
In this way, it can have all the functions of a water stop function, an exhaust function, and a non-return function, and the drinking water in the water storage tank is automatically maintained in a full state so that the drinking water does not touch the gas. Can be maintained.

  In the present invention, the exhaust means provided in the vent hole of the water storage tank is configured to have all the functions of a water stop function, an exhaust function, and a check function. Thus, it is possible to make it difficult for the drinking water in the water storage tank to come into contact with the gas.

For example, the following configuration can be adopted as an embodiment of the present invention.
That is, the exhaust means provided in the vent hole of the water storage tank includes a first valve device including a first valve body that opens and closes the first valve hole provided in the vent hole, and the first valve of the vent hole. A second valve device provided with a second valve body that opens and closes a second valve hole provided outside the hole, and when the inside of the water storage tank becomes full, the pressure is The valve body is operated to open the first valve hole, and the second valve body closes the second valve hole to prevent drinking water from overflowing from the water storage tank to the outside of the water storage tank. When the gas is mixed into the water storage tank, the first valve body is operated by the gas to open the first valve hole, and the second valve body opens the second valve hole. Open and exhaust the gas from the water tank to the outside of the water tank, and the water tank is in a negative pressure state in the full state When became, the first valve device and the second valve device or any is configured to prevent backflow of gas from the water tank outer closed the valve hole to the water storage tank.

That is, when the pressure in the water storage tank is full and the pressure increases, the first valve body is operated by the pressure to open the first valve hole. At this time, the second valve body closes the second valve hole to prevent the drinking water from overflowing from the water storage tank to the outside of the water storage tank. The second valve hole is closed when the drinking water is interposed between the first valve hole and the second valve hole due to the movement of the first valve body in the valve opening direction. It is sufficient that the valve body is moved in the valve closing direction.
Further, when gas is mixed into the water storage tank, the first valve body is operated by the gas being interposed to open the first valve hole, and the second valve body is the second valve body. The valve hole is opened to exhaust gas from the water storage tank to the outside of the water storage tank. The opening of the second valve hole is due to the fact that gas is interposed between the first valve hole and the second valve hole due to the movement of the first valve body in the valve opening direction (or the drinking water flows). It is only necessary to move the second valve body in the valve opening direction (with the absence of intervention).
Furthermore, when the inside of the water storage tank is in a negative pressure state in the full state, the first valve device closes the valve hole by the valve body being pulled by its own weight or by the negative pressure. Alternatively, in the second valve device, the drinking water is interposed between the first valve hole and the second valve hole, so that the valve body is moved to close both valve holes, or one of them, and the water storage What is necessary is just to set it as the structure which prevents the backflow of the gas from the tank outside to the said water storage tank.

  In this configuration, in the first valve device, the first valve body is normally lowered by its own weight to close the first valve hole, and the water tank is full and the water pressure is the first valve hole. When the pressure between the second valve hole and the second valve hole increases, the first valve body rises due to the water pressure or when the gas a is mixed into the water storage tank. The first valve hole is opened, and when the inside of the water storage tank is in a negative pressure state in the full state, the first valve body is lowered to close the first valve hole. obtain.

  The opening of the first valve hole when gas is mixed into the water storage tank is, for example, an operation based on the pressure of the mixed gas, the mixed gas, the drinking water, and the first valve. A configuration in which the first valve body is operated depending on the specific gravity difference with the body can be employed.

  Further, a float chamber is provided between the first valve hole and the second valve hole, a floating portion having a specific gravity smaller than that of the drinking water is provided in the float chamber, and the first valve hole is opened so that the water storage When drinking water enters from the tank into the float chamber, the floating portion rises by buoyancy due to drinking water in the float chamber, the second valve body closes the second valve hole, and the first valve hole opens. When the gas enters the float chamber from the water storage tank, the floating portion may be lowered by its own weight, and the second valve body may open the second valve hole.

  Further, when the drinking water enters the float chamber and the second valve body closes the second valve hole, the first valve body rises when gas is mixed into the water storage tank. When the first valve hole is opened, the gas may enter the float chamber, and the drinking water in the float chamber may flow into the water storage tank.

  Further, the second valve body is biased in the valve closing direction with respect to the second valve hole, and a shaft that protrudes into the float chamber is provided on the second valve body, and the floating portion is disposed in the float chamber. When the water level is lowered in accordance with the lowering of the drinking water level, the second valve body is moved against the urging force by pushing down the shaft to open the second valve hole, and the floating portion is located in the float chamber. When rising by buoyancy caused by drinking water, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the second valve body is moved by the biasing force to close the second valve hole.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the drinking water server according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a hard resin container 1 is detachably attached to a water conduit 11 extending upward from a water storage tank 10 provided with a cooling device 29. The drinking water w flows down into the water storage tank 10 through the water conduit 11 due to its own weight (due to a drop).

The container 1 and the water storage tank 10 are housed in the container housing part 3 and the main body 4 of the drinking water server 2 shown in FIG. A water supply pipe 21 is drawn out from the water storage tank 10 and extends outside the main body 4, and a supply valve 20 that can be freely opened and closed is provided in the water supply pipe 21 (see FIG. 2).
If the supply valve 20 is opened, the drinking water w in the water storage tank 10 can be appropriately supplied from the supply unit 5 shown in FIG. 1 to a container such as an external cup or plastic bottle, and if the supply valve 20 is closed. The supply is stopped. The supply valve 20 can be opened and closed by operating a lever provided in the supply unit 5.

  Further, in this drinking water server 2, another water storage tank 10 provided with a heating device 61 below the water storage tank 10 (hereinafter, the water storage tank 10 provided with the heating device 61 is referred to as “warm water tank 60”. The hot water tank 60 and the water storage tank 10 are connected to each other through a water supply pipe 62. The water supply pipe 62 is connected to the upper part of the water storage tank 10 and the lower part of the hot water tank 60. In this embodiment, the location of the hot water tank 60 is set below the water storage tank 10, but the location of the hot water tank 60 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the hot water tank 60 is located on the side of the water storage tank 10. Alternatively, a configuration arranged above or above is also conceivable.

  Through this water supply pipe 62, the drinking water w in the water storage tank 10 flows into the hot water tank 60 by its own weight. Note that the cooling device 29 can employ, for example, a well-known cooling means having a function of cooling the drinking water w in the water storage tank 10 by flowing a refrigerant in the pipe, and the heating device 61 is energized. An electric heater or the like having a function of heating the drinking water w in the hot water tank 60 can be adopted.

  The hot water tank 60 and the heating device 61 are also accommodated in the main body 4 of the drinking water server 2 shown in FIG. A second water supply pipe 25 is drawn out from the hot water tank 60 and extends outside the main body 4, and a second supply valve 24 that can be opened and closed is provided in the second water supply pipe 25.

  If the second supply valve 24 is opened, the heated drinking water w in the hot water tank 60 can be appropriately supplied from the supply unit 6 shown in FIG. 1 to a container such as an external cup or plastic bottle. When the supply valve 24 is closed, the supply is stopped. Similarly, the second supply valve 24 can be opened and closed by operating a lever provided in the supply unit 6.

  Discharge pipes 23 and 27 with discharge valves 22 and 26 are provided at the bottoms of the water storage tank 10 and the hot water tank 60, respectively. Both the discharge valves 22, 26 are normally kept closed. By opening the discharge valves 22 and 26 respectively, foreign matter or the like precipitated on the bottoms of the water storage tank 10 and the hot water tank 60 can be discharged to the outside together with the internal drinking water w.

  The container 1 containing the drinking water w is supplied to the market in a state in which the drinking water w that has been previously sterilized is sealed and sealed, and the container 1 is opened. A water guide pipe 11 extending upward from the water storage tank 10 can be inserted into the section.

As the attachment / detachment structure of the container 1, a known structure may be adopted, but in this embodiment, as described above, by attaching the water conduit 11 into the opening of the resin container 1, The container 1 is supported by a pedestal 17 and the liquid tightness between the opening and the water conduit 11 is maintained by packing or the like.
For this reason, the drinking water w in the container 1 flows down into the water storage tank 10 by its own weight through the water conduit 11 without spilling around.

  As described above, the liquid tightness is maintained between the inner periphery of the opening of the container 1 and the outer periphery of the conduit 11, but if there is a slightly spilled drinking water w, the drinking water w is The base 17 is discharged to the receiving portion 19 through a discharge path 18 provided at the bottom of the concave portion 17a. For this reason, the spilled water does not stay in the recess 17a of the base 17.

  A gas introduction device 50 is connected through the connection pipe 51 in the middle of the water conduit 11. The gas introduction device 50 has a hollow air reservoir 53 inside, and the air reservoir 53 and the outside are separated by an air filter 54.

  In addition, a check valve 52 that allows only the flow of fluid from the gas introduction device 50 side to the water conduit 11 side is provided in the middle of the connecting pipe 51 that connects the gas introduction device 50 and the water conduit 11. Yes. The check valve 52 allows the flow of fluid (particularly air (gas) b) from the gas introduction device 50 side to the water conduit 11 side, and conversely, from the water conduit 11 side to the gas introduction device 50 side. The flow of fluid (especially drinking water w) is not allowed.

In addition, the connecting pipe 51 passes through a position higher than the connection location to the water conduit 11 and reaches the gas introducing device 50. Specifically, as shown in the figure, it extends horizontally from the connection point to the water conduit 11, then bends upward, extends upward to a certain height, and then extends horizontally again. The air reservoir 53 of the gas introducing device 50 is reached.
The check valve 52 is provided in a portion of the connecting pipe 51 that extends in the vertical direction. Providing the check valve 52 in a portion extending in the vertical direction of the connecting pipe 51 is effective in preventing the backflow of the drinking water w.

  Further, a check valve 12 that allows only the flow of fluid from the container 1 side to the water storage tank 10 side is provided below the connection portion of the water conduit 11 to the gas introduction device 50. In this embodiment, the check valve 12 is provided at the lower end of the water conduit 11. This check valve 12 allows a flow of fluid (particularly drinking water w) from the container 1 side of the water conduit 11 to the water storage tank 10 side, and conversely, fluid from the water storage tank 10 side to the container 1 side. (In particular, the flow of drinking water w, air (gas) a, etc.) is not allowed.

  A vent hole 28 is provided at the upper end of the water storage tank 10 to connect the inside and outside of the water storage tank 10. The vent hole 28 is provided with an exhaust means 30 for the water storage tank 10.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the exhaust means 30 includes a first valve body 32 that opens and closes a first valve hole 31 in a casing 34 formed of a main body 34b and a lid 34a provided in the vent hole 28. A first valve device 33; and a second valve device 38 having a second valve body 37 for opening and closing a second valve hole 36 provided outside the first valve hole 31 of the vent hole 28. ing.

  In this embodiment, the vent hole 28 in the casing 34 extends upward from the upper surface 10 b of the water storage tank 10, and then extends laterally to open outside the water storage tank 10. The first valve hole 31 is provided in the lower part of the portion extending in the vertical direction of the vent hole 28, and the second valve hole 36 is provided in the portion extending in the lateral direction.

  A float chamber 40 is provided between the first valve hole 31 and the second valve hole 36. A floating portion 41 having a specific gravity smaller than that of the drinking water w is provided in the float chamber 40 so as to be movable up and down.

  The second valve body 37 is urged in the valve closing direction by the elastic member 39 with respect to the second valve hole 36. The second valve body 37 is provided with a lateral shaft 42 that protrudes into the float chamber 40, and the floating portion 41 is locked to the shaft 42 (see FIG. 3).

  The operation of this drinking water server 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5A, in a state where there is no drinking water w in the water storage tank 10, the container 1 is inserted into the water conduit 11 and the container 1 is placed on the pedestal 17. To fix. The drinking water w in the container 1 tends to gradually flow into the water storage tank 10 due to its own weight.

  When the drinking water w in the container 1 tries to flow down to the hot water tank 60 through the water storage tank 10 and the water supply pipe 62 by the head, the inside of the container 1 becomes negative pressure. For this reason, in order to eliminate the negative pressure, the air b is naturally introduced from the gas introduction device 50 into the water conduit 11. When the air b introduced from the gas introduction device 50 enters the container 1 through the water conduit 11, the negative pressure in the container 1 is eliminated by the penetration of the air b. When the negative pressure is eliminated, the drinking water w flows again from the container 1 to the hot water tank 60 through the water storage tank 10 and the water supply pipe 62.

  At this time, since the air filter 54 is provided in the air reservoir 53 of the gas introducing device 50, clean air b is supplied. It can be said that it is more preferable to attach an air b sterilizing device such as an ultraviolet (UV) lamp or an ozone generator to the gas introducing device 50. Further, by connecting a cylinder or the like to the connection pipe 51, a gas b other than air sealed in the cylinder or the like is appropriately supplied so as to eliminate the negative pressure when the inside of the container 1 becomes a negative pressure. You may be able to do it.

  Further, by providing the check valve 52 in the connecting pipe 51, the drinking water w is prevented from flowing back to the gas introducing device 50 side when the negative pressure in the container 1 is eliminated.

  When drinking water w flows from the container 1 to the water storage tank 10, air a is present in the water storage tank 10. For this reason, the air pressure in the water storage tank 10 increases as the drinking water w flows down.

  Due to the increase in air pressure, the exhaust means 30 of the vent hole 28 provided in the upper part of the water storage tank 10 is opened. If the exhaust means 30 is opened, the air a inside is discharged out of the water storage tank 10 through the vent hole 28, so that the increase in air pressure is suppressed and the flow of the drinking water w from the container 1 to the water storage tank 10 continues. To do.

The operation of the exhaust means 30 at this time will be described. As shown in FIG. 4A, the first valve device 33 is configured so that water does not intervene in the float chamber 40 or the water level is always low. The first valve body 32 descends by its own weight and closes the first valve hole 31.
When the water pressure in the water storage tank 10 increases with the flow of the drinking water w from the container 1 to the water storage tank 10, the first valve body 32 is pushed up by the atmospheric pressure, and the first valve body 32 is moved as shown in the figure. The first valve hole 31 is opened by raising. That is, when the gas a is present in the water storage tank 10, the first valve body 32 is operated to open the first valve hole 31.

At this time, since the drinking water w is not present in the float chamber 40, the floating portion 41 is lowered by its own weight. For this reason, the shaft 42 is pushed downward as shown in FIG.
When the shaft 42 is pushed down, the second valve body 37 is pulled away from the second valve hole 36 against the biasing force of the elastic member 39, and the second valve hole 36 is in an open state. . Therefore, the internal gas a is exhausted out of the water storage tank 10 along the arrows p, q, r.

The drinking water w also flows down to the water storage tank 10 and the hot water tank 60, and after the hot water tank 60 becomes full, the water level in the water storage tank 10 rises.
By exhausting all the air a in the water storage tank 10 through the vent hole 28, the water storage tank 10 finally becomes full as shown in FIG. During this time, if there is no drinking water w in the container 1, it may be replaced with a container 1 containing new drinking water w as appropriate.

  Since the water pressure in the water storage tank 10 increases due to the water tank 10 becoming full, the first valve body 32 is pushed up by the water pressure as shown in FIG. The valve hole 31 is opened. By opening the first valve hole 31, the drinking water w enters the float chamber 40.

When the drinking water w enters the float chamber 40, the floating portion 41 rises as indicated by the arrow s due to the buoyancy caused by the drinking water w in the float chamber 40. As the float 41 rises, the shaft 42 is pushed back upward, and the second valve element 37 moves toward the second valve hole 36 by the biasing force of the elastic member 39 to close the second valve hole 36. .
By closing the second valve hole 36, the drinking water w is prevented from overflowing from the inside of the water storage tank 10 to the outside of the water storage tank 10.

  In this way, when the exhaust tank 30 closes the vent hole 28 when the water storage tank 10 is full, the water in the water storage tank 10 becomes high pressure with the drinking water w, so that the drinking water w in the container 1 is freed from the drop pressure. Therefore, pressure is applied to the connecting pipe 51 and the check valve 52 is pushed up to the gas introduction device 50 side. For this reason, both the inside of the container 1 and the inside of the water storage tank 10 are maintained in a state in which high pressure is maintained, and the flow of the drinking water w ends.

When air a is mixed into the water storage tank 10 such as when the container 1 is attached or detached, the difference in specific gravity between the air a, the drinking water w, and the first valve body 32 in the water storage tank 10 is The first valve hole 31 is opened by raising the one valve body 32 (see FIG. 4A).
That is, based on the fact that the specific gravity increases in the order of air a, drinking water w, and first valve body 32, the mixed air a converts the first valve body 32 and drinking water w interposed thereon. The first valve hole 31 is opened by pushing it up. That is, when the gas a is present in the water storage tank 10, the first valve body 32 is operated to open the first valve hole 31.

In the full water state, the drinking water w has entered the float chamber 40 and the second valve element 37 is closing the second valve hole 36.
In this state, when air a is mixed in the water storage tank 10 and the first valve body 32 rises and opens the first valve hole 31 as described above, the gas a enters the float chamber 40, Conversely, the drinking water w in the float chamber 40 flows down to the water storage tank 10. For this reason, the air a mixed in the water storage tank 10 is replaced with the drinking water w in the float chamber 40, and the inside of the water storage tank 10 returns to a full water state.

  When the air a that has entered the float chamber 40 gradually increases and the liquid level of the drinking water w in the float chamber 40 is lowered to a predetermined position, the buoyancy acting on the float portion 41 disappears and the float portion 41 It descends under its own weight. For this reason, the second valve body 37 opens the second valve hole 36 and the air a is exhausted from the float chamber 40 to the outside of the water storage tank 10.

Next, when the drinking water w is supplied through the supply valve 20 from the full state of the water storage tank 10, the water level in the water storage tank 10 is lowered and the water storage tank 10 is in a negative pressure state.
When the inside of the water storage tank 10 is in a negative pressure state, the first valve body 32 is lowered to close the first valve hole 31.

This is because, if the water storage tank 10 is full, the drinking water w has also entered the float chamber 40, so that the first valve body 32 is lowered by its own weight and due to the negative pressure in the water storage tank 10. This is because it is drawn downward.
Moreover, since the drinking water w has also entered the float chamber 40, the floating portion 41 is raised and the second valve body 37 is in a state in which the second valve hole 36 is closed.

  For this reason, the reverse flow of the air a from the outside of the water storage tank 10 into the water storage tank 10 is prevented. In this embodiment, in the negative pressure state in the water storage tank 10, since the check function is exhibited at two locations of the first valve device 33 and the second valve device 38, the back flow of the air a can be prevented more reliably.

  Moreover, if the inside of the water storage tank 10 will be in a negative pressure state, the drinking water w will flow down from the container 1 so that the negative pressure in the water storage tank 10 may be eliminated (so as to recover the water level). The flow of the drinking water w continues while the air b is being introduced into the container 1 from the gas introducing device 50 through the water conduit 11, and the inside of the water storage tank 10 becomes full and stops. For this reason, the inside of the water storage tank 10 is always maintained in a full water state.

  In this embodiment, since the check valve 12 is provided at the lower end of the water conduit 11, the air a or the drinking water w in the water storage tank 10 is prevented from flowing back to the container 1 side.

A second embodiment is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the installation of the hot water tank 60 in the first embodiment is omitted.
Other configurations and the operation of the exhaust means 30 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, the configuration of the drinking water server may include both the hot water tank 60 including the heating device 61 and the water storage tank 10 including the cooling device 29, as in the above-described embodiment. It is good also as a structure which abbreviate | omitted the hot water tank 60 provided with the heating apparatus 61 like this 2nd Example. Moreover, the structure which abbreviate | omitted the cooling device 29 of the water storage tank 10 is also considered.

  A third embodiment is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, as the exhaust means 30 provided in the vent hole 28, a first valve device 43 having a first valve body 45 that opens and closes the first valve hole 44, and the first valve hole 44 of the vent hole 28. And a second valve device 46 having a second valve body 48 for opening and closing a second valve hole 47 provided on the outer side.

  The first valve device 43 is a float valve type valve device, and since the first valve body 45 is lighter than water, if the water level in the water storage tank 10 is lower than the full water level, the first valve body 45 is also lowered. Then, the first valve hole 44 of the vent hole 28 is opened (see FIG. 5B). For this reason, as the drinking water w flows from the container 1 to the water storage tank 10, the air a is exhausted to the outside of the water storage tank 10. At this time, the second valve body 48 is pushed up by air pressure, and the second valve hole 47 is opened.

When the water level in the water storage tank 10 rises and becomes full, the first valve hole 44 of the vent hole 28 is automatically closed, and the water storage tank 10 can be sealed in the water full state (FIG. 5). (See (c)). For this reason, the drinking water w in the water storage tank 10 does not overflow to the outside of the water storage tank 10.
That is, the exhaust means 30 closes the vent hole 28 when the inside of the water storage tank 10 is full to prevent the drinking water w from overflowing from the water storage tank 10 to the outside of the water storage tank 10. To function.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (d) by opening the supply valve 20 or the like, when the water level in the water storage tank 10 is lowered from the full water state, the inside of the water storage tank 10 is in a negative pressure state, and the upper portion of the vent hole 28. The second valve body 48 of the second valve device 46 is drawn toward the water storage tank 10 to close the second valve hole 47. For this reason, if the inside of the water storage tank 10 is in a negative pressure state, the vent hole 28 is closed, and the backflow of the air a from the outside of the water storage tank 10 into the water storage tank 10 is prevented.
That is, the exhaust means 30 has a function of preventing the backflow of the air a from the outside of the water storage tank 10 into the water storage tank 10 when the inside of the water storage tank 10 is in a negative pressure state when the water is full. Function.

  Since the vent hole 28 is closed, the negative pressure state in the water storage tank 10 is maintained, and the flow of the drinking water w from the container 1 continues until the negative pressure state is eliminated. When the inside of the water storage tank 10 becomes full, the first valve body 45 of the first valve device 43 is raised and the first valve hole 44 is closed.

  When the inside of the water storage tank 10 is full and the vent hole 28 is closed, the inside of the water storage tank 10 becomes high pressure with the drinking water w, so that the drinking water w in the container 1 is connected to the connecting pipe 51 to eliminate the head pressure. The check valve 52 is pushed up to the gas introduction device 50 side. For this reason, it is the same as that of the above-mentioned Example that the inside of the container 1 and the inside of the water storage tank 10 are maintained in the state which maintained the high voltage | pressure, and the flow of the drinking water w is complete | finished.

Further, when air a enters the water storage tank 10 due to replacement of the container 1 or the like, the water level in the water storage tank 10 decreases, the first valve hole 44 opens as described above, and the air a If the pressurized state is caused by the interposition, the second valve hole 47 is also opened, and the air a intervening in the water storage tank 10 is exhausted without remaining outside the water storage tank 10.
That is, the exhaust means 30 functions to open the vent hole 28 and exhaust the gas a in the water storage tank 10 to the outside of the water storage tank 10 when air a is mixed into the water storage tank 10. To do.

  When the air a is exhausted in this way, the drinking water w further tries to flow down from the container 1 so as to fill the gap in the water storage tank 10. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5 (d), air b is introduced into the container from the gas introduction device 50 so that the inside of the container 1 becomes negative pressure and the negative pressure is eliminated. Is always kept full of water.

  A fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a resin container 1 made of a flexible resin is used.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, when the water conduit 11 is inserted into the opening with the opening of the container 1 facing downward, the drinking water w inside flows naturally into the water storage tank 10 by its own weight. To go.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the drinking water w in the container 1 gradually flows down into the water storage tank 10 due to its own weight, and the container 1 contracts and deforms. For this reason, air does not enter the container 1 from the water storage tank 10 side.

  At this time, the air pressure in the water storage tank 10 increases due to the flow of the drinking water w, but the exhaust means 30 shown in the first and second embodiments exhibits the exhaust function, and the water storage tank 10 The drinking water w continues to flow until the inside becomes full. When the water is full, the exhaust means 30 exhibits the water stop function and the drinking water w is prevented from overflowing outside the water storage tank 10.

  The exhaust function when air a is mixed into the water storage tank 10 after the water storage tank 10 is full, and the check when the water storage tank 10 is in a negative pressure state. Since the function is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the fourth embodiment, the specific gravity and the weight of the first valve body 32 in the exhaust means 30 are set in a state where there is no drinking water w in the water storage tank 10 or in the water storage tank 10. When the gas a is mixed, the gas a must be correctly exhausted from the vent hole 28 by the exhaust means 30 without flowing into the container 1 side.

  In order for the gas a to be correctly discharged from the vent hole 28, the exhaust means 30 exhausts the gas a at a pressure lower than the pressure resistance of the drinking water w flowing into the water storage tank 10 from the container 1, An exhaust amount that can prevent the pressure of the gas a in the water storage tank 10 from rising and the pressure from exceeding the pressure resistance is required. This is because the pressure resistance of the drinking water w flowing from the container 1 into the water storage tank 10 can be an obstacle for the gas a in the water storage tank 10 to flow into the container 1.

  By setting to satisfy this condition, in the system shown in the fourth embodiment, the check valve 12 that prevents the gas a in the water storage tank 10 from flowing into the container 1 can be eliminated.

  In this regard, in the first embodiment, in addition to setting the specific gravity and weight of the first valve body 32, the resistance value of the gas b flowing into the container 1 through the connection pipe 51 from the gas introduction device 50 is the water storage tank. The capacity of the gas introducing device 50 (the supply of the gas b) is smaller than the resistance value of the gas a flowing into the container 1 from 10 and the pressure of the gas a trying to flow into the container 1 from the water storage tank 10 does not increase. By securing the amount, the check valve 12 can be dispensed with.

Front view of the drinking water server of the first embodiment Front view showing the internal structure of FIG. Detailed view of exhaust means (A) (b) (c) is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of an exhaust means. (A)-(d) is a front view which shows the effect | action of a 1st Example. (A)-(d) is a front view which shows the effect | action of a 2nd Example. (A)-(d) is a front view which shows the effect | action of a 3rd Example. (A)-(d) is a front view which shows the effect | action of a 4th Example. (A)-(c) is a front view which shows the effect | action of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 2 Drinking water server 3 Container storage part 4 Main body 5 Drinking water supply part (normal temperature water / cold water)
6 Drinking water supply section (hot water)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Water storage tank 11 Water guide pipes 12, 14, 52 Check valve 17 Base 17a Recess 18 Drain passage 19 Receiving part 20 Supply valve 21 Water supply pipe 22, 26 Discharge valve 23, 27 Discharge pipe 24 Second supply valve (supply valve)
25 Second water pipe (water pipe)
28 vent hole 29 cooling device 30 exhaust means 31, 44 first valve hole 32, 45 first valve body 33, 43 first valve device 34 casing 36, 47 second valve hole 37, 48 second valve body 38, 46 second Two-valve device 50 Gas introduction device 51 Connection pipe 53 Air pool 54 Air filter 60 Hot water tank 61 Heating device 62 Water supply pipe

Claims (8)

Drinking water w supplied from the container 1 is stored in the water storage tank 10, a water supply pipe 21 is pulled out from the water storage tank 10, a supply valve 20 that can be opened and closed is provided in the water supply pipe 21, and the supply valve 20 is opened and closed. In the drinking water server capable of supplying the drinking water w in the water storage tank 10,
A ventilation hole 28 connecting the inside and outside of the water storage tank 10 is formed in the upper part of the water storage tank 10, and an exhaust means 30 is provided in the vent hole 28. The exhaust means 30 is filled with water in the water storage tank 10. In this case, the vent hole 28 is closed to prevent the drinking water w from overflowing from the water storage tank 10 to the outside of the water storage tank 10, and when the gas a is mixed in the water storage tank 10, It has a function of opening the air holes 28 and exhausting the gas a in the water storage tank 10 to the outside of the water storage tank 10, and when the water storage tank 10 is in a negative pressure state in the full state, the water storage A drinking water server having a function of preventing the backflow of the gas a from the outside of the tank 10 into the water storage tank 10. The exhaust means 30 includes a first valve device 33 that includes a first valve body 32 that opens and closes a first valve hole 31 provided in the vent hole 28, and the first valve hole 31 of the vent hole 28. A second valve device 38 having a second valve body 37 for opening and closing a second valve hole 36 provided on the outside,
When the inside of the water storage tank 10 is full, the first valve body 32 is operated by the pressure to open the first valve hole 31, and the second valve body 37 is moved to the second valve hole. 36 is closed to prevent the drinking water w from overflowing from the inside of the water storage tank 10 to the outside of the water storage tank 10,
When the gas a is mixed in the water storage tank 10, the first valve body 32 is operated by the gas a to open the first valve hole 31, and the second valve body 37 is The second valve hole 36 is opened and the gas a is exhausted from the water storage tank 10 to the outside of the water storage tank 10;
When the inside of the water storage tank 10 is in a negative pressure state in the full water state, the first valve device 33 and / or the second valve device 38 closes the valve holes 31 and 36 and the water storage The drinking water server according to claim 1, wherein a backflow of the gas a from outside the tank 10 into the water storage tank 10 is prevented.   In the first valve device 33, the first valve body 32 is normally lowered by its own weight to close the first valve hole 31, and the water storage tank 10 is full and the water pressure is the first valve hole. When the pressure between the first valve hole 36 and the second valve hole 36 increases, the water pressure is increased, or when the gas a is mixed into the water storage tank 10, the first valve When the body 32 rises to open the first valve hole 31 and the inside of the water storage tank 10 is in a negative pressure state in the full state, the first valve body 32 descends and the first valve The server for drinking water according to claim 2, wherein the hole 31 is closed.   When the gas a is mixed into the water storage tank 10, the opening of the first valve hole 31 is caused by the difference in specific gravity between the mixed gas a, the drinking water w, and the first valve body 32. The drinking water server according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the body 32 is operated. A float chamber 40 is provided between the first valve hole 31 and the second valve hole 36, and a float 41 having a specific gravity smaller than that of the drinking water w is provided in the float chamber 40,
When the first valve hole 31 is opened and the drinking water w enters the float chamber 40 from the water storage tank 10, the float 41 rises due to the buoyancy caused by the drinking water w in the float chamber 40, and the first The double valve body 37 closes the second valve hole 36;
When the first valve hole 31 is opened and the gas a enters the float chamber 40 from the water storage tank 10, the floating portion 41 is lowered by its own weight, and the second valve body 37 is moved to the second valve hole. 36. The drinking water server according to claim 2, wherein 36 is opened.   When drinking water w enters the float chamber 40 and the second valve element 37 closes the second valve hole 36, the first valve element is mixed with the gas a in the water storage tank 10. When 32 rises and opens the first valve hole 31, the gas a enters the float chamber 40, and the drinking water w in the float chamber 40 flows down to the water storage tank 10. Item 6. A drinking water server according to Item 5.   The second valve body 37 is urged in the valve closing direction with respect to the second valve hole 36, and a shaft 42 protruding into the float chamber 40 is provided on the second valve body 37, and the floating portion 41 When the water level of the drinking water w in the float chamber 40 is lowered, the shaft 42 is pushed down to move the second valve body 37 against the urging force, so that the second valve hole 36 is moved. The second valve element 37 is moved by the biasing force to close the second valve hole 36 when the floating portion 41 is lifted and lifted by the buoyancy caused by the drinking water w in the float chamber 40. The drinking water server according to claim 5 or 6.   8. A storage tank exhaust means 30 for use in a drinking water server according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a vent hole 28 for connecting the inside and outside of the storage tank 10 is formed in the upper part of the storage tank 10. The exhaust means 30 is provided in the vent hole 28, and the exhaust means 30 closes the vent hole 28 when the inside of the water storage tank 10 is full, so that the inside of the water storage tank 10 is moved out of the water storage tank 10. The drinking water w is prevented from overflowing, and when the gas a is mixed into the water storage tank 10, the vent hole 28 is opened to move the gas a in the water storage tank 10 to the outside of the water storage tank 10. It has a function of exhausting, and has a function of preventing the back flow of the gas a from the outside of the water storage tank 10 into the water storage tank 10 when the inside of the water storage tank 10 becomes a negative pressure state in the full water state. It is characterized by Exhaust means for the water storage tank.

Images