JP2010168067A - Drink dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drink dispenser capable of preventing bacteria from invading the inside of a tank or the inside of a raw water vessel in a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: An air intake 13 is mounted on a ceiling of a low-temperature tank 4 to take air into the tank according as a water level of the tank decreases. An air chamber 15 having an air flow inlet 23 of air from the outside is connected to the air intake 13. The air chamber 15 is partitioned into a plurality of up and down steps of air chambers 18 by a plurality of tilting floors 17 tilting in right and left reverse directions alternately. Many small holes 19 as ventilation parts ventilating the air chamber 18 on the lower step side are mounted on the tilting lower end side of the tilting floor of the air chamber 18 on the upper step side. A connection part 20 connected to the air intake 13 is mounted on the tilting upper end side of the tilting floor 17 of the air chamber 18 of the uppermost step. An ozone-generating means 21 is mounted in the air chamber 18 of the uppermost step. The air flow inlet 23 is mounted on the tilting lower end side of the tilting floor 17 of the air chamber 18 of the lowermost step. <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 drops 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 plurality of inclined floors inclined in the opposite direction are partitioned into a plurality of stages of air chambers, and a ventilation portion is provided on the lower end side of the inclined floor of the upper air chamber to vent the lower air chamber. A connection portion connected to the air intake port is provided on the upper end side where the inclined floor of the upper air chamber is inclined, and ozone is introduced into the uppermost air chamber from oxygen in the air flowing from the air inlet. Ozone generating means for generating was provided, and the air inlet was provided on the lower end side where the inclined floor of the lowermost air chamber was inclined.

  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 this air chamber is divided into a plurality of stages of air chambers by a plurality of inclined floors that alternately incline in the left-right reverse direction, and the inclined lower end side of the inclined floor of the upper air chamber The upper air chamber is provided with a ventilation portion for venting to the lower air chamber, and a connection portion connected to the air intake is provided on the upper end side where the inclined floor of the upper air chamber is inclined. Provided with ozone generating means for generating ozone from oxygen in the air flowing in from the air inlet, and by providing an air inlet on the lower end side where the inclined floor of the lowermost air chamber is inclined, the uppermost air The ozone with high specific gravity generated in the step is lowered along the inclined floor from the ventilation part to the lower air chamber in order, and efficiently contacts with the external air flowing in from the air inlet of the lowermost air chamber The bacteria contained in the air flowing in from the outside is sterilized by its excellent sterilizing action, and the invasion of bacteria into the tank and the raw water container can be prevented from the original with a simple configuration.

  In addition, since the air chamber is divided into a plurality of stages of air chambers with a plurality of inclined floors, the air chamber has a compact form and has a longer path through which the air flowing from the outside comes into contact with ozone. The contained bacteria can be sufficiently sterilized.

  By providing the ozone generating means above the ventilation portion of the uppermost air chamber, the generated ozone is quickly lowered to the lower air chamber, and the sterilizing action at the start of the operation of the ozone generating means is achieved. The rapid effect can be increased. This is particularly effective when the ozone generating means is operated in accordance with the timing at which new external air flows into the air chamber.

  By making the ventilation part a ventilation hole provided in the lower end side portion of the inclined floor, the inflow rate of external air from the air inlet is slowed, and the residence time of ozone in each air chamber on the lower stage side The outside air can be kept in contact with ozone for a longer time.

  By making the ventilation holes have a large number of small holes scattered in the lower end side portion of the inclined floor, ozone is lowered from these large numbers of small holes in a shower-like manner, and the air flowing in from the outside is more efficient. Can be contacted well.

  By inclining the lower end portion of the inclined floor provided with the vent holes downward at a steeper angle than the other portions, a portion of ozone is retained in the portion where the inclined floor is inclined downward at a steep angle, and passed through. It is possible to efficiently contact the air rising from the pores.

  By attaching a filter containing activated carbon to the uppermost air chamber so as to partition between the connection portion and the portion where the ozone generating means is provided, excess ozone enters from the air intake port into the drinking water. Mixing can be prevented.

  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. An air chamber having an air inflow port is connected, and the air chamber is partitioned into a plurality of stages of air chambers by a plurality of inclined floors that alternately incline in the left and right directions, and the upper air chamber is inclined. A ventilation part that ventilates the lower air chamber and the lower air chamber is provided on the lower slope side of the floor, and a connection part that is connected to the air intake port is provided on the upper end side of the upper air chamber slope. In the air chamber, ozone generating means for generating ozone from oxygen in the air flowing in from the air inlet is provided, and the air inlet is provided on the lower end side where the inclined floor of the lowermost air chamber is inclined. The air The ozone with high specific gravity generated in the step is lowered along the slanted floor from the ventilation section to the lower air chamber in order, and efficiently contacts the air coming from the air inlet of the lowermost air chamber. The bacteria contained in the air flowing in from the outside can be sterilized by the excellent sterilizing action, and the bacteria can be prevented from entering the tank and the raw water container with a simple configuration.

  In addition, since the air chamber is divided into a plurality of stages of air chambers with a plurality of inclined floors, the air chamber has a compact form and has a longer path through which the air flowing from the outside comes into contact with ozone. The contained bacteria can be sufficiently sterilized.

Longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of a beverage dispenser Sectional view along the line II-II in FIG. Sectional view along line III-III in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows typically the flow of ozone and air in the air chamber of FIG.

  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 15 is connected to the air intake 13 via a hose 14. It is connected. The air chamber 15 is attached to the inner surface of the casing 1 with a hook 16.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the air chamber 15 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the vertical and horizontal directions, and is partitioned into a plurality of stages of air chambers 18 by a plurality of inclined floors 17 that alternately incline in the opposite left and right directions. The lower end portion 17a of the inclined floor 17 of the upper air chamber 18 is inclined downward at a steep angle, and the lower end portion 17a has a large number of small holes 19 as ventilation portions for ventilating with the lower air chamber 18. It is provided to be scattered. Note that the floor of the lowermost air chamber 18 is formed flat.

  On the upper end side where the inclined floor 17 of the uppermost air chamber 18 of the air chamber 15 is inclined, a connection portion 20 connected by the air intake port 13 and the hose 14 is provided. An ozone generating means 21 is provided above the ventilation portion provided with the hole 19, and an activated carbon filter 22a containing activated carbon is attached so as to partition the connection portion 20 and the portion where the ozone generating means 21 is provided. It has been. In addition, an air inlet 23 through which air from the outside flows is provided on the side surface of the lowermost air chamber 18 on the side opposite to the ventilation portion with the upper air chamber 18. An activated carbon filter 22b is attached. These activated carbon filters 22a and 22b reduce the ozone generated by the ozone generating means 21 to oxygen gas, and excess ozone enters the low temperature tank 4 from the connection part 20 or flows out from the air inlet 23 to the outside. To prevent.

  The ozone generating means 21 is an ultraviolet lamp that irradiates ultraviolet rays to generate ozone from oxygen gas in the air, and is operated intermittently by a controller (not shown) and linked 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 when the external air flows from the air inlet 23.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows the flow of ozone generated in the uppermost air chamber 18 and the flow of external air flowing in from the air inlet 23. As shown by the dotted arrows, ozone having a specific gravity as large as about 1.5 times that of air drops mostly from a large number of small holes 19 as a lower ventilation portion into the lower air chamber 18 in a shower shape, While descending obliquely along the lower inclined floor 17, the lower lower end portion 17a is further lowered in a shower-like manner to the lower air chamber 18 in sequence. Further, the air flowing in from the air inlet 23 of the lowermost air chamber 18 stays at the upper end side of the inclined floor 17 as indicated by the solid line arrows, and then the air on the upper stage sequentially from the many small holes 19. Ascend to chamber 18. Therefore, the ozone that descends to the lower air chamber 18 and the external air that rises to the upper air chamber 18 come into efficient contact over time, and the bacteria contained in the air are sterilized by the sterilization action of ozone. The

  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.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Casing 2 Container connection part 2a Recess 2b Cylindrical protrusion 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 Hose 15 Air chamber 16 Hook 17 Inclined floor 17a Lower end side portion 18 Air chamber 19 Small hole 20 Connection portion 21 Ozone generating means 22a, 22b Activated carbon filter 23 Air inflow port

Claims (6)

  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 chamber is provided, and an air chamber having an air inflow port through which air is introduced from the outside is connected to the air intake port. The upper air chamber is divided into air chambers, and a ventilation portion is provided on the lower end of the inclined floor of the upper air chamber so as to vent the lower air chamber. A connecting portion connected to the air intake port is provided on the side, and ozone generating means for generating ozone from oxygen in the air flowing in from the air inlet is provided in the uppermost air chamber, A beverage dispenser characterized in that the air inlet is provided on the lower end side of the inclined floor of the air chamber.   The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the ozone generating means is provided above the ventilation portion of the uppermost air chamber.   The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ventilation portion is a ventilation hole provided in a lower end side portion of the inclined floor.   The beverage dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the ventilation holes are a plurality of small holes scattered in the lower end side portion of the inclined floor.   The beverage dispenser according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a lower end side portion of the inclined floor provided with the ventilation holes is inclined downward at a steeper angle than other portions.   The beverage dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a filter containing activated carbon is attached to the uppermost air chamber so as to partition the connection portion and the portion provided with the ozone generating means.

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