JP2010052752A - Beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a beverage dispenser which prevents bacteria from invading into a tank and a raw water container from the root by a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: An air intake opening 13 for taking in air into a tank by accompanying lowering of a water level in the tank is provided on the ceiling of a low temperature tank 4, and an air chamber 14 having an air intake opening 16 for the air from the outside is connected with the air intake opening 13. An ozone generating means 15 for generating ozone from oxygen in the air flowing in from the air intake opening 16 is provided in the air chamber 14. The bacteria included in the air flowing in from the outside is sterilized in the air chamber 14 connected with the air intake opening 13 by an excellent sterilizing action of ozone, so that the bacteria is fundamentally prevented from invading into the tank and a raw water container by the simple constitution. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser that stores drinking water filled in a raw water container in a tank and supplies it from an extraction valve.

  A container connection part that connects the extraction port of the raw water container filled with drinking water downward at the upper part, a tank that is provided below the container connection part and drops and stores the drinking water in the raw water container, and this tank In a beverage dispenser provided with an extraction valve for extracting drinking water stored in the tank, air flows into the tank from the outside as the water level in the tank decreases. Many beverage dispensers of this type have a low temperature tank equipped with a cooling device and a high temperature tank equipped with a heating device so that cold water and hot water can be extracted separately.

  For this reason, in such a beverage dispenser, there is a problem that bacteria such as bacilli and viruses contained in the outside air enter the tank together with the air, and the drinking water in the tank is contaminated with the bacteria. When the raw water container is hard and air flows into the container from the container connecting portion when the drinking water in the container falls, the drinking water in the raw water container is also contaminated with bacteria. In addition, if the raw water container is soft and shrinks due to the atmospheric pressure as the drinking water in the container falls, air does not flow into the container.

  As a countermeasure against contamination by bacteria in such a beverage dispenser, an ultraviolet sterilizer is provided immediately before the extraction valve (see, for example, Patent Document 1), an ultraviolet lamp is immersed in the tank, and the tank is placed outside the tank. An ultrasonic element is attached to sterilize the drinking water in the tank while stirring (see, for example, Patent Document 2), and a circulation path for extracting and circulating the drinking water in the tank is provided. What is provided with a sterilizing heater for sterilizing drinking water in a low temperature tank that is easily contaminated (for example, see Patent Document 3), which has a low temperature tank and a high temperature tank (for example, see Patent Document 3) Patent Document 4), heated drinking water in a high-temperature tank is introduced into a low-temperature tank that is easily contaminated (for example, see Patent Document 5), etc. It has been proposed.

JP 2000-85892 A Utility Model Registration No. 3099926 JP 2005-350067 A JP 2004-315049 A JP 2005-170432 A

  Since all the countermeasures against contamination of bacteria in the conventional beverage dispensers described in Patent Documents 1 to 5 are to sterilize bacteria after entering the drinking water from the air, they are in the air in the tank or in the raw water container. In some cases, bacteria may survive and these bacteria may propagate. For this reason, there is a problem that a large amount of propagated bacteria enter the drinking water and cannot be sufficiently sterilized.

  Moreover, what was described in patent document 2 requires the stirring means of the drinking water in a tank, and what was described in patent documents 3 and 5 was the introduction path | route from an extra circulation path and a high temperature tank to a low temperature tank. Therefore, there is a problem that the beverage dispenser is complicated and expensive. In addition, although what was described in patent document 1 has a simple structure, there is anxiety about sterilization capability, and what was described in patent document 5 has the problem that cold water cannot be extracted during the disinfection in a low temperature tank.

  Then, the subject of this invention is providing the drink dispenser which can prevent the invasion of the bacteria in a tank or a raw | natural water container from the origin with a simple structure.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a container connection part for connecting an extraction port of a raw water container filled with drinking water downward at the upper part, and a lower part of the container connection part. In a beverage dispenser comprising a tank for dropping and storing drinking water and an extraction valve for extracting drinking water stored in the tank, at least one of the upper portion of the tank and the container connecting portion is provided in the tank. An air intake port for taking air into the tank as the water level decreases is provided, and an air chamber having an air inflow port for introducing air from the outside is connected to the air intake port. A configuration provided with ozone generating means for generating ozone from oxygen in the air flowing in from the inflow port was adopted.

  That is, at least one of the upper part of the tank and the container connection part is provided with an air intake port for taking air into the tank as the water level in the tank decreases, and an air flow for allowing air to flow into the air intake port from the outside. An air chamber having an inlet is connected, and an ozone generating means for generating ozone from oxygen in the air flowing in from the air inlet is provided in the air chamber. Bacteria contained in the air flowing in from the outside are sterilized in the connected air chamber so that the bacteria can be prevented from entering the tank and the raw water container with a simple configuration.

  The ozone generating means may irradiate the air flowing in from the air inlet with ultraviolet rays or fly a spark. When irradiating with ultraviolet rays, the sterilizing action of ultraviolet rays can also be utilized.

  A water level detecting means for detecting a drop in the water level in the tank is provided, and when the water level drop is detected by the water level detecting means, the ozone generating means is operated to allow new air from the outside to enter the air chamber. It is possible to efficiently generate ozone in accordance with the timing of inflow.

  It is possible to prevent excessive ozone from being generated by intermittently operating the ozone generating means.

  By attaching a filter containing activated carbon to the air inlet, the ozone flowing out from the air inlet can be reduced to oxygen gas by the reducing action of the activated carbon, and the outflow of ozone harmful to the environment can be prevented. .

  By attaching a filter containing activated carbon to the air intake port, it is possible to prevent excessive ozone from entering the air intake port and mixing into drinking water.

  The air chamber is provided with a horizontal portion connected to the air intake and a vertical portion suspended from the horizontal portion, the ozone generating means is provided in the horizontal portion, and the air inlet is connected to the vertical portion. By providing in the lower part, ozone with large specific gravity generated in the horizontal part can be lowered to the vertical part, and can be efficiently brought into contact with the external air flowing in from the lower part of the vertical part.

  By providing the ozone generating means directly above the vertical portion, the generated ozone can be quickly lowered to the vertical portion, and the quick action of the sterilization action at the start of the operation of the ozone generating means can be enhanced. This is effective when the ozone generating means is operated in accordance with the timing when new external air flows into the air chamber.

  By providing at least one partition plate having a vertical hole in the vertical portion and having a vent hole, the inflow rate of external air from the air inlet is slowed down and ozone is retained in the vertical portion. The time can be lengthened and external air can be contacted with ozone for a longer time.

  A plurality of vertical partition plates are provided above and below, and the adjacent upper and lower partition plates are provided with vent holes that are displaced from each other in the horizontal plane, thereby further reducing the flow rate of external air from the air inlet. In addition, the residence time of ozone in the vertical portion can be made longer.

  By dispersing a large number of small holes on the plate surface of the partition plate, the air holes can be caused to drop ozone in a shower shape from the large number of small holes and more efficiently contact the air flowing in from the outside. it can.

  By projecting the air intake port from the bottom surface of the horizontal portion of the air chamber, ozone having a large specific gravity can be retained at the bottom portion of the horizontal portion, and ozone can be prevented from directly entering the air intake port.

  In the beverage dispenser of the present invention, at least one of the upper part of the tank and the container connection part is provided with an air intake port for taking air into the tank as the water level in the tank decreases, and air is supplied to the air intake port from the outside. Since an ozone generating means for generating ozone from oxygen in the air flowing in from the air inlet is provided in this air chamber, an ozone generating means for generating ozone is provided in the air chamber. In the air chamber connected to the air intake, the bacteria contained in the air flowing from the outside can be sterilized, and the bacteria can be prevented from entering the tank and the raw water container with a simple configuration. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the beverage dispenser is provided with a container connecting portion 2 for connecting the extraction port of the raw water container A filled with drinking water downward on the upper surface of the casing 1, and below the water injection pipe 3. The low-temperature tank 4 connected to the container connection part 2 and the high-temperature tank 6 connected to the bottom of the low-temperature tank 4 by a connection pipe 5 are provided, and each extraction of cold water and hot water provided on the front surface of the casing 1 is provided. Valves 7a and 7b are connected to the bottom of the low temperature tank 4 and the ceiling of the high temperature tank 6 by extraction pipes 8a and 8b, respectively.

  The said container connection part 2 consists of the recessed part 2a in which the extraction port of the raw | natural water container A is fitted, and the cylindrical protrusion part 2b which protrudes from the center of the recessed part 2a, and is inserted in the extraction port of the raw | natural water container A, A cylindrical protrusion part The water injection hole 2c which feeds the drinking water in the raw | natural water container A into the water injection pipe 3 is provided in 2b. In this embodiment, the raw water container A is a soft container that contracts due to atmospheric pressure as the drinking water inside falls, and the outer periphery is supported by the support frame B.

  The low temperature tank 4 is provided with a float valve 9, and when the float valve 9 is actuated by a drop in the level of the drinking water stored therein, as shown by a one-dot chain line in the figure, the drinking water in the raw water container A is injected. Replenished from the pipe 3. Further, a cooling device 10 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower portion of the low temperature tank 4, and a connection pipe 5 to the high temperature tank 6 is connected to a funnel-shaped outlet 11 protruding upward from the cooling device 10. The bottom cold water cooled in 10 is extracted by the extraction pipe 8 a, and relatively warm drinking water is supplied from the outlet 11 to the high-temperature tank 6. The high-temperature tank 6 is provided with a heating device 12 that heats the drinking water supplied from the connection pipe 5 and extracts the heated hot water from the extraction pipe 8 b connected to the ceiling by the water pressure from the low-temperature tank 4. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ceiling of the low temperature tank 4 is provided with an air intake 13 for taking in air as the internal water level decreases, and an air chamber 14 is connected to the air intake 13. The air chamber 14 is connected to the air intake port 13, and includes a horizontal portion 14 a extending along the ceiling of the low temperature tank 4, and a vertical portion 14 b depending from one end of the horizontal portion 14 a along the side wall of the low temperature tank 4. The ozone generating means 15 is provided in the horizontal portion 14a immediately above the vertical portion 14b, and the air inlet 16 through which air from the outside flows is provided at the lower end of the vertical portion 14b.

  The ozone generating means 15 is an ultraviolet lamp that irradiates ultraviolet rays to generate ozone from oxygen gas in the air. The ozone generating means 15 is operated intermittently by a controller (not shown) and interlocked with the float valve 9. (Not shown). Therefore, the water level in the low temperature tank 4 is lowered, and ozone is efficiently generated in accordance with the timing at which external air flows from the air inlet 16.

  Since the ozone generated by the ozone generating means 15 of the horizontal portion 14a has a specific gravity as large as about 1.5 times that of air, most of the ozone descends into the vertical portion 14b directly below, and a part of it takes in the air in the horizontal portion 14a. It flows to the mouth 13 side and stays in the lower part of the horizontal part 14a. Since the air intake port 13 protrudes from the bottom surface of the horizontal portion 14a, ozone staying in the lower portion of the horizontal portion 14a does not directly enter the air intake port 13.

  Activated carbon filters 17a and 17b containing activated carbon are attached to the air inlet 16 at the upper end of the air intake port 13 and the lower end of the vertical portion 14b. These activated carbon filters 17a and 17b reduce the ozone generated by the ozone generating means 15 to oxygen gas, and excess ozone enters the low temperature tank 4 from the air intake port 13 or flows out from the air inlet port 16 to the outside. To prevent.

  The vertical portion 14b is provided with three partition plates 18a, 18b, and 18c that partition the vertical portion 14b up and down. As shown in FIG. 3, each partition plate 18a, 18b, 18c is provided so that a large number of small holes 19 for ventilation are scattered in the plate surface, and the upper and lower partition plates 18a, 18c are respectively Slightly larger vent holes 20a and 20c are provided at the center, and the middle partition plate 18b is provided with an arc-shaped vent 20b at the outer periphery.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows the flow of ozone descending the vertical portion 14b and the flow of external air flowing in from the lower air inlet 16. As indicated by dotted arrows, a part of the ozone descends from the small holes 19 of the partition plates 18a, 18b, and 18c in a shower shape, and the rest passes through the vent holes 20a, 20b, and 20c to make a detour. While descending. Also, as shown by the solid arrows, the air flowing in from the outside rises through the small holes 19 and the vent holes 20a, 20b, 20c while staying at the positions of the partition plates 18a, 18b, 18c. To do. Therefore, the ozone descending the vertical portion 14b and the rising external air come into efficient contact over time, and bacteria contained in the air are sterilized by the sterilization action of ozone.

  In the embodiment described above, the raw water container is made soft, and the air chamber provided with the ozone generating means is connected to the air intake provided in the low temperature tank, but when the raw water container is made hard to receive air, An air chamber can also be connected to the air intake provided in the container connecting portion, and the low temperature tank and the air chamber connected to the air intake of the container connecting portion can be shared.

  Moreover, in embodiment mentioned above, although the drink dispenser was provided with the low temperature tank and the high temperature tank, and water was supplied as a drink, the drink dispenser concerning this invention should just be provided with at least 1 tank. The beverage to be supplied is not limited to water.

Longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of a beverage dispenser 1 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the main part of FIG. The top view which shows each partition plate of the air chamber of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows typically the flow of ozone and air in the vertical part of the air chamber of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Casing 2 Container connection part 2a Recessed part 2b Cylindrical protrusion part 2c Water injection hole 3 Water injection pipe 4 Low temperature tank 5 Connection pipe 6 High temperature tank 7a, 7b Extraction valve 8a, 8b Extraction pipe 9 Float valve 10 Cooling device 11 Outlet 12 Heating device 13 Air intake port 14 Air chamber 14a Horizontal portion 14b Vertical portion 15 Ozone generating means 16 Air inlet port 17a, 17b Activated carbon filter 18a, 18b, 18c Partition plate 19 Small hole 20a, 20b, 20c Ventilation hole

Claims (12)

  A container connecting part for connecting the extraction port of the raw water container filled with drinking water downward at the upper part, a tank provided below the container connecting part for dropping and storing the drinking water in the raw water container, and this In a beverage dispenser comprising an extraction valve for extracting drinking water stored in a tank, at least one of the upper part of the tank and the container connection part, air that takes air into the tank as the water level in the tank decreases An intake port is provided, and an air chamber having an air inflow port for introducing air from outside is connected to the air intake port, and ozone is generated from oxygen in the air flowing in from the air inflow port in the air chamber. A beverage dispenser provided with ozone generating means.   The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the ozone generating means irradiates ultraviolet rays into the air flowing in from the air inlet or blows a spark.   The beverage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a water level detecting means for detecting a drop in the water level in the tank is provided, and the ozone generating means is operated when a drop in the water level is detected by the water level detecting means. Dispenser.   The beverage dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ozone generating means is operated intermittently.   The beverage dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a filter containing activated carbon is attached to the air inlet.   The beverage dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a filter containing activated carbon is attached to the air intake.   The air chamber is provided with a horizontal portion connected to the air intake and a vertical portion suspended from the horizontal portion, the ozone generating means is provided in the horizontal portion, and the air inlet is connected to the vertical portion. The beverage dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 6 provided in a lower part.   The beverage dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the ozone generating means is provided immediately above the vertical portion.   The beverage dispenser according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the vertical portion is provided with at least one partition plate that vertically partitions the vertical portion and has a vent hole.   The beverage dispenser according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of vertical partition plates are provided above and below, and vent holes whose positions are shifted from each other in a horizontal plane are provided in the vertically adjacent partition plates.   The beverage dispenser according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the air holes are formed by interspersing a number of small holes on the plate surface of the partition plate.   The beverage dispenser according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the air intake port is protruded from a bottom surface of a horizontal portion of the air chamber.

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