JP2014009034A - Tray for water server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tray for a water server capable of preventing water from leaking, between a needle and a plastic bag.SOLUTION: The tray for a water server for placing a plastic bag 10 filled with drinking water to be supplied to a main body part includes: a placement surface for placing the plastic bag 10; and a needle 11 for piercing through a bottom surface of the plastic bag 10, and guiding the drinking water in the plastic bag 10 to the main body part. The needle 11 includes: a sharp part 51; a first taper part 52 a side face of which is inclined from the sharp part 51 to a base end part of the needle 11; a first straight part 53 extending from the first taper part 52 to the base end part of the needle 11; and a second taper part 54 a side face of which is inclined from the first straight part 53 to the base end part of the needle 11. The needle 11 is fixed so that at least a part of a hole rim part 60 formed at the rim of a hole of the plastic bag 10 is in contact within a range from the second taper part 54 to the base end part of the needle 11.

Description

  The present invention relates to a water server. In particular, the present invention relates to a water server tray for placing a plastic bag filled with drinking water in order to supply drinking water to a water server body.

  A so-called water server (or a drink dispenser or a water dispenser) is used as a device for setting cold water and hot water by setting a gallon bottle containing drinking water at the top. The water server is installed in a home or the like and is mainly used as follows. That is, a gallon bottle filled with drinking water is distributed from a manufacturer or the like, and the user sets the distributed gallon bottle on the top of the water server. And if a user pushes a switch when drinking water, drinking water will be supplied to a cup.

  By the way, in the case of the water server used by filling a gallon bottle with drinking water and providing it to the user, there are the following problems. In other words, there is a problem in that a distributor who distributes gallon bottles to users needs to collect the gallon bottles that have been emptied for reuse, and thus it takes time for collection. In addition, there is a problem that the user side needs to store an empty gallon bottle until the contractor collects the gallon bottle, and a storage space must be secured. Furthermore, due to the hygiene problem due to repeated reuse of gallon bottles and the structure in which drinking water must be supplied to the water server body while inflating the gallon bottle when using the water server, There is a problem that various germs invade and propagate.

  Then, instead of filling drinking water into a gallon bottle, for example, a water server for filling drinking water in a plastic bag made of a plastic film such as a plastic bag and supplying drinking water has been developed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the water server disclosed in Patent Document 1, a hole is formed in the plastic bag by a needle provided in a bottle holder (water server tray) for setting a plastic bag filled with drinking water (plastic bag). Drinking water filled in the plastic bag is supplied to the water server body through a flow path formed in the needle.

  Moreover, the needle provided in the bottle holder has a pointed shape with a thin and sharp tip so that a hole can be made in the plastic bag. For this reason, in order to prevent injuries at the sharp tip of this needle, a bottle holder with a mechanism in which the needle is housed in the bottom of the bottle holder and does not protrude when the plastic bag is not set in the bottle holder is proposed (Patent Document 2).

  That is, in Patent Document 2, by pressing the bottle holder toward the water server main body from the top to the bottom, the needle urged and housed by the spring below the bottom of the bottle holder is pushed upward and protrudes. It has become. A hole is formed in the plastic bag by the protruding needle, and the drinking water filled in the plastic bag can be supplied to the water server body.

  By the way, in the case of the water server which fills a plastic bag with drinking water and supplies drinking water like patent document 1 and 2 mentioned above, water may leak from between a plastic bag and a needle. In particular, when the drinking water in the plastic bag decreases, the adhesion between the plastic bag and the needle decreases, and a gap is formed between the needle and the plastic bag, and the drinking water leaks from this gap.

  Therefore, a needle provided with a non-slip portion made of rubber has been proposed (Patent Document 3). In patent document 3, the adhesiveness of the plastic bag filled with drinking water and a needle can be improved by providing a non-slip | skid part in a needle.

JP 2011-44646 A Registered Utility Model No. 3164948 Registered Utility Model No. 3168193

  By the way, since patent document 3 is a structure which provides a non-slip | skid part in a needle | hook, adhesiveness can be improved in the part which a plastic bag (plastic bag) and a non-slip part contact | connect. However, the needle of Patent Document 3 has a problem that sufficient adhesion cannot be ensured at a portion where the anti-slip portion is not formed. Furthermore, when the non-slip portion made of rubber is deteriorated due to aging, there is a problem that the adhesion between the plastic bag and the needle is lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a water server capable of enhancing the adhesion between the needle and the plastic bag so that water does not leak from the gap between the needle and the hole formed in the plastic bag. The purpose is to provide a tray.

A water server tray according to the present invention is a water server tray on which a plastic bag filled with drinking water to be supplied to a water server main body is placed in order to solve the above-described problems. A placement surface to be placed; and a needle that pierces the bottom surface of the plastic bag by moving upward with respect to the placement surface, and guides drinking water in the plastic bag to the water server body, and Needle
A sharpened portion sharpened so as to open a hole in the bottom surface of the plastic bag, and a first tapered portion having a shape in which a side surface is inclined so that an outer diameter increases from the sharpened portion toward a proximal end portion of the needle, A rod-shaped first extending portion extending from the first tapered portion toward the proximal end portion of the needle, and a side surface so that an outer diameter increases from the first extending portion toward the proximal end portion of the needle. A second tapered portion having an inclined shape, and at least a part of an edge contact portion formed at an edge of the hole of the plastic bag and being in contact with the needle of the plastic bag, It fixes so that it may contact | connect in the range from a taper part to the base end part of this needle.

  According to the above configuration, since the mounting surface and the needle are provided, a hole can be opened by the needle on the bottom surface of the plastic bag mounted on the mounting surface.

  Further, since the needle has a sharpened portion and a first tapered portion, the size of the hole opened in the plastic bag by the sharpened portion can be gradually widened by the first tapered portion as the needle moves upward. it can. In addition, since the needle includes a first extending portion that extends from the first tapered portion toward the proximal end portion of the needle, the edge of the hole that is in contact with the first extending portion as the needle moves upward. A force can be applied to pull the contact portion upward.

  Thus, the edge contact portion of the hole opened at the sharpened portion by the first tapered portion and the first extending portion can be enlarged. For this reason, the contact area of a needle and an edge contact part can be enlarged, and the adhesiveness of a plastic bag and a needle can be improved.

  The needle includes the second tapered portion, and is fixed at a position where at least a part of the edge contact portion is in contact with the second tapered portion or the proximal end side of the needle with respect to the second tapered portion. .

  Here, when the needle is fixed at a position where the edge contact portion is in contact with the proximal end side of the needle with respect to the second taper portion, the size of the hole is further expanded by the second taper portion, and the edge contact portion is It can be made even larger. For this reason, the adhesiveness of a plastic bag and a needle can be improved.

  On the other hand, when the needle is fixed at a position where the edge contact portion is in contact with the second taper portion, the portion of the edge contact portion that is in contact with the second taper portion is provided with drinking water filled in a plastic bag. Under the water pressure acting in the vertical direction, the edge contact portion is pressed against the side surface of the second taper portion. For this reason, the adhesiveness of a plastic bag and a needle can be improved.

  Therefore, the water server tray according to the present invention has an effect that it is possible to prevent water leakage between the needle and the plastic bag.

  The water server tray according to the present invention, in the above-described configuration, has a supply port extending downward from the mounting surface to supply drinking water filled in the plastic bag to the water server body, and A shielding portion in which a guide hole is formed as a passage for guiding the needle so that the needle protrudes upward with respect to the placement surface, and the inside of the supply port is formed, and is formed on the upper surface of the shielding portion. The needle receiver having a through hole formed so as to push up the bottom surface of the plastic bag placed on the placement surface and project the needle guided by the guide hole upward and pierce the bottom surface of the plastic bag. And a unit.

  According to the above configuration, since the needle receiving portion is provided on the upper surface of the shielding portion at the supply port, the bottom portion of the plastic bag pierced by the needle can be lifted upward. And in the plastic bag part lifted in this way, the force (tension) pulling downward acts. For this reason, wrinkles are eliminated at the portion where the plastic bag is lifted by tension. And the needle 11 pierces the plastic bag part lifted by the needle receiving part. The plastic bag portion pierced with the needle is in a state where wrinkles are eliminated and tension is applied as described above. For this reason, the hole according to the shape of the sharp part of a needle can be formed in a plastic bag.

  Thus, the hole according to the shape of the sharpened portion can be formed in the plastic bag without tearing the plastic bag. For this reason, a gap such as a tear is not formed between the plastic bag and the needle, and it is possible to form a state in which both are in close contact.

  The water server tray according to the present invention is configured such that, in the above-described configuration, the needle is fixed at a position where the edge contact portion is in contact with both the first extending portion and the second tapered portion. It may be.

  According to the configuration described above, the needle is fixed at a position where the edge contact portion is in contact with both the first extending portion and the second tapered portion. For this reason, about the part which touches a 2nd taper part in an edge contact part, it is pressed on the side surface of a 2nd taper part with the water pressure which acts on the vertical direction of the drinking water with which the plastic bag was filled. On the other hand, about the part which contact | connects a 1st extending | stretching part, it is pressed against a 1st extending | stretching part with the water pressure which works in the horizontal direction of drinking water. For this reason, the adhesiveness of a plastic bag and a needle can be improved.

  In addition, for example, even when the drinking water in the plastic bag decreases and the plastic bag floats upward, the hole formed in the plastic bag moves upward along the first extending portion. There is no large gap between the hole and the needle.

  Therefore, even when the plastic bag is lifted upward, it is possible to prevent a large gap from being formed between the hole and the needle.

  In the water server tray according to the present invention, in the configuration described above, the inclination angle of the side surface of the second taper portion with respect to the axial direction of the needle is larger than the inclination angle of the side surface of the first taper portion with respect to the axial direction of the needle. May be configured to be large.

  According to the above configuration, since the inclination angle of the side surface of the second taper portion is larger than the inclination angle of the side surface of the first taper portion, the resistance to the needle inserted into the plastic bag is reduced in the first taper portion. At the same time, the edge contact portion can be brought into close contact with the side surface of the second taper portion and pressed by the water pressure of the drinking water from the substantially vertical direction.

  Further, in the water server tray according to the present invention, in the configuration described above, the needle has a rod-shaped second extending portion extending from the second tapered portion toward the proximal end portion of the needle, and the second A third tapered portion having a shape in which the side surface is inclined so that the outer diameter increases from the extending portion toward the proximal end portion of the needle, and the side surface of the second tapered portion with respect to the axial direction of the needle The inclination angle of the side surface of the third taper portion with respect to the axial direction is larger than the inclination angle of the needle, and the edge contact portion of the needle has both the second extending portion and the third taper portion. It may be configured so as to be fixed at a position in contact with each other.

  According to the above-described configuration, the second extending portion and the third tapered portion are further provided. For this reason, the dimension of the hole of a plastic bag can further be expanded by a 2nd taper part with the upward movement of a needle. Further, the needle has an edge contact portion of the hole that is in contact with the second extending portion as the needle moves upward by the third extending portion extending from the second tapered portion toward the proximal end portion of the needle. A force can be applied to pull further upward.

  Thus, the edge contact portion of the hole can be made larger by the second tapered portion and the second extending portion. For this reason, the contact area of a needle and an edge contact part can be enlarged, and the adhesiveness of a plastic bag and a needle can be improved.

  The needle includes the third tapered portion, and the edge contact portion is fixed at a position straddling both the second extending portion and the third tapered portion. For this reason, about the part which contacts a 3rd taper part in an edge contact part, it is pressed on the side surface of a 3rd taper part with the water pressure which acts on the vertical direction of the drinking water with which the plastic bag was filled. On the other hand, about the part which contact | connects a 2nd extending | stretching part, it is pressed against a 2nd extending | stretching part with the water pressure which works in the horizontal direction of drinking water. For this reason, the adhesiveness of a plastic bag and a needle can be improved.

  In addition, for example, even when the drinking water in the plastic bag decreases and the plastic bag floats upward, the hole formed in the plastic bag moves upward along the second extending portion. There is no large gap between the hole and the needle.

  Therefore, even when the plastic bag is lifted upward, it is possible to prevent a large gap from being formed between the hole and the needle.

  Further, since the inclination angle of the side surface of the third taper portion is larger than the inclination angle of the side surface of the second taper portion, the second taper portion reduces resistance to the needle inserted into the plastic bag and The edge contact portion can be brought into close contact with the side surface of the taper portion and pressed by the water pressure of the drinking water from a substantially vertical direction.

  The water server tray according to the present invention further includes a second extending portion in which the needle extends from the second tapered portion toward a proximal end portion of the needle, and the second extending portion includes In addition, a constricted portion in which a part of the second extending portion is thin may be formed, and the edge contact portion may be configured such that the needle is fixed at a position in contact with the constricted portion.

  According to the above configuration, since the needle is fixed at a position where the edge contact portion comes into contact with the constricted portion, for example, even if a force is applied in such a direction that the needle comes out of the plastic bag, the edge contact portion is caused by the constricted portion. Since it is caught by the step, this omission can be prevented.

  The water server tray according to the present invention is configured as described above, and has an effect of preventing water leakage between the needle and the plastic bag.

It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the water server which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the principal part structure of the tray for water servers with which the water server shown in FIG. 1 is provided. It is the side view which showed typically an example of the form which looked at the plastic bag which concerns on this Embodiment from the side. It is the top view which showed typically an example of the form which looked at the plastic bag which concerns on this Embodiment toward the downward direction from the upper direction. It is a top view which shows an example of the planar shape of the tray for water servers shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the state which attached the tray for water servers to the main-body part in the water server which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the needle which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance shape of the sharp part vicinity of the needle which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure explaining an example of the insertion state to the plastic bag of a needle based on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the needle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the needle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the needle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the needle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the needle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the needle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the needle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the principal part structure of the tray for water servers which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a specific configuration example of the water server 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout all the drawings, and redundant description thereof is omitted.

(Water server configuration)
The configuration of the water server 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a water server 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a main configuration of the water server tray 3 provided in the water server 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.

  The water server 1 according to the present embodiment is an instrument that provides cold water and hot water by setting a plastic bag 10 filled with drinking water at the top of the machine. In this embodiment, the plastic bag 10 is filled with drinking water such as natural water. The plastic bag 10 filled with drinking water has a structure consisting of an inner layer, an intermediate layer, and an outer layer, and is molded using a low-density polyethylene for the inner layer, nylon for the intermediate layer, and a plastic film made of unstretched polypropylene for the outer layer. It may be what you did. Alternatively, the plastic bag 10 may be molded using a plastic film having a two-layer structure using polyethylene or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) having different properties. The plastic bag 10 is a material that is easy to stick to the surface of the needle 11 as much as possible when a hole is opened by a needle 11 to be described later, and that does not allow harmful substances to dissolve in the filled drinking water. It is preferable that the material is made of a material having sufficient strength against the pressure.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the water server 1 includes a main body (water server main body) 2 and a water server tray 3 placed on the upper portion of the main body 2.

  The main body 2 receives drinking water from the plastic bag 10 set in the water server tray 3 and provides the user with the supplied drinking water as cold water or hot water. In this embodiment, the exterior of the main body 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that extends long in the vertical direction (vertical direction). The main body 2 includes a cooling tank 21 that cools and holds drinking water by a cooling device (not shown) and a heating tank 22 that heats and holds drinking water by a heater (not shown). In addition, on the outside (front surface) of the main body 2, a cold water discharge port 23 that discharges the cold water cooled in the cooling tank 21 and a hot water discharge port 24 that discharges hot water heated in the heating tank 22 are provided. Is provided. In the main body 2, a heating tank 22 is disposed below the cooling tank 21, and a part of the drinking water that has been sent to the cooling tank 21 is sent to the heating tank 22.

  The water server 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which two discharge ports, a cold water discharge port 23 and a hot water discharge port 24, are provided outside the main body 2, but for cold water and hot water. It is good also as a structure provided only with one discharge port which serves as both. When comprised in this way, the main-body part 2 has a switching mechanism (not shown) so that the cold water from the cooling tank 21 and the hot water from the heating tank 22 can each be switched and discharged to the discharge port. Become.

  In FIG. 1, the side on which the cold water discharge port 23 and the hot water discharge port 24 are provided is the front side, and the side facing the front side (the back side in FIG. 1) is the rear side. In the water server 1, the side on which the water server tray 3 is disposed is the upper side, and the side on which the main body 2 is disposed is the lower side.

  Further, insertion holes (not shown) for inserting the leg portions 12a to 12d of the water server tray 3 are formed at the four corners of the upper surface 25 of the main body portion 2. Further, a receiving portion 26 (see FIG. 6 described later) that is depressed downward is formed in the center portion of the upper surface 25 of the main body 2 so as to insert a needle accommodating portion 13 described later.

  The water server tray 3 is a tray that functions as a cradle for the plastic bag 10 when the plastic bag 10 filled with drinking water is set in the water server 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the water server tray 3 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the top opened, and a plastic bag 10 is inserted from above by the user. The inserted plastic bag 10 is configured to be placed on the bottom 19 of the water server tray 3.

  Further, a cylindrical drinking water supply port (supply port) 30 extending downward is formed at the bottom 19 of the water server tray 3. The drinking water supply port 30 functions as a receiving port for supplying drinking water filled in the plastic bag 10 to the main body 2. Furthermore, a cylindrical needle housing portion 13 having a diameter smaller than that of the drinking water supply port 30 is provided below the drinking water supply port 30. This needle accommodating part 13 accommodates the needle 11 for opening a hole in the plastic bag 10 set in the water server tray 3.

  In addition, four legs 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are also provided at the four corners of the bottom 19 of the water server tray 3. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the rear leg portions 12c and 12d are not shown because they are the back surfaces of the front leg portions 12a and 12b.

  The water server tray 3 is detachable from the main body 2. That is, the leg portions 12 a to 12 d can be fixed to the main body portion 2 by being inserted into insertion holes (not shown) provided in the main body portion 2 and inserted into the receiving portion 26 of the needle accommodating portion 13. On the contrary, the leg portions 12a to 12d can be removed from the main body portion 2 by being extracted from the insertion hole or by being extracted from the receiving portion 26 of the needle accommodating portion 13.

  The plastic bag 10 set in the water server 1 according to the present embodiment has a so-called pillow shape as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 by sealing both ends of the cylindrical plastic film. Molded. And the inside of this plastic bag 10 is filled with drinking water. FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing an example of a form of the plastic bag 10 according to the present embodiment viewed from the side. FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a form in which the plastic bag 10 according to the present embodiment is viewed from above to below. 3 and 4 show a state in which the plastic bag 10 is filled with water. As shown in FIG. 4, the planar shape of the plastic bag 10, that is, the shape when viewed from the upper side to the lower side is substantially rectangular, which is similar to the planar shape of the water server tray 3.

  The size relationship between the size of the plastic bag 10 and the size of the water server tray 3 is preferably as follows. Here, the size of the water server tray 3 used for comparison is a projection area (horizontal projection area) when the water server tray 3 is viewed downward in the vertical direction. More precisely, the water server tray 3 is configured such that the inner dimension is larger on the upper side than the lower side, and the storage chamber 4 (FIG. 2) is a lower compartment having a smaller inner dimension. Horizontal projection area).

  Further, the size of the plastic bag 10 is a horizontal projected area in the assumed state when it is assumed that the plastic bag 10 fully filled with drinking water is maintained without being deformed.

  Based on the above assumption, the size relationship between the size of the plastic bag 10 and the size of the water server tray 3 is set so that the size of the water server tray 3 is selected in a range of 80% or more of the size of the plastic bag 10. Has been. When set in such a range, the amount of wrinkles generated in the plastic bag 10 placed on the water server tray 3 can be reduced.

(Configuration of tray for water server)
Next, the configuration of the water server tray 3 will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 in addition to FIG. 2 described above. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a planar shape of the water server tray 3 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which the water server tray is attached to the main body in the water server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the needle 11 provided in the water server tray 3 in the water server 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the water server tray 3 includes an outer wall 18 erected in the vertical direction, a bottom portion 19 inclined in a mortar shape from a lower end portion of the outer wall 18 toward the center of the water server tray 3, and a bottom portion. 19 and a cylindrical needle accommodating portion 13 provided downward and extending downward.

(Outside wall)
The outer side wall 18 forms the side surface of the water server tray 3. And the cross-sectional shape (cross-sectional shape enclosed and formed by the outer side wall 18) which cut out the tray 3 for water servers in the horizontal direction is a substantially rectangular shape, as shown in FIG. In the water server tray 3, the inner dimension is larger in the upper part than in the lower part. That is, the outer wall 18 is stepped so that the inner dimension of the water server tray 3 increases as it goes upward.

  For this reason, a plastic bag 10 filled with drinking water is introduced from above with a larger inner dimension, and the plastic bag 10 is placed in a predetermined position in a lower section with a smaller inner dimension. At this time, the plastic bag 10 is held in a state of being placed on the bottom 19 surface.

(bottom)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the bottom portion 19 is disposed so as to extend downward on the placement surface 20 on which the plastic bag 10 accommodated in the water server tray 3 is placed. A cylindrical drinking water supply port 30 is provided.

(Bottom-mounting surface)
The placement surface 20 is a surface that supports the placed plastic bag 10, and has a so-called mortar shape that is gently inclined downward toward the drinking water supply port 30. For this reason, when the plastic bag 10 is put into the water server tray 3, the outer periphery of the bottom surface of the plastic bag 10 is supported by the mounting surface 20, and the central portion of the bottom surface of the plastic bag 10 is the drinking water supply port 30. It will hang down inside.

  The inner surface of the mounting surface 20 (the surface on the side in contact with the plastic bag 10) is formed of a material that does not exert a large frictional force on the plastic bag 10. In order to prevent a large frictional force from acting between the inner surface of the mounting surface 20 and the plastic bag 10, for example, the inner surface of the mounting surface 20 may be coated with fluorine or silicon, or fluorine or silicon may be coated. You may affix the sheet | seat contained. Or you may form the mounting surface 20 as what added the slidability improvement agent. Examples of slidability improvers include oil lubricants, synthetic lubricants, natural waxes, metal soaps, olefin resins, fluororesins, silicone resins, polyester resins, and other polymer lubricants, or molybdenum disulfide or graphite. Solid lubricants can be used.

(Bottom-drinking water supply port)
The drinking water supply port 30 functions as a receiving port for supplying the main body 2 with drinking water filled in the plastic bag 10. The interior of the drinking water supply port 30 is blocked by a supply port shielding part (shielding part) 37.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the drinking water supply port 30, a through hole 34 is formed in the center of the supply port shielding part 37 for projecting the needle 11 pushed up from below. An insertion path (guide path) 35 for guiding the needle 11 so as to guide the needle 11 to the through hole 34 is formed downward from the through hole 34.

  In this embodiment, when the plastic bag 10 is set in the water server tray 3, the needle 11 accommodated in a needle accommodating portion 13 described later protrudes upward from the through hole 34 through the insertion path 35, and the plastic It is comprised so that the bottom face of the bag 10 can be penetrated.

  As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the supply port shielding portion 37 is formed by laminating a gel cover portion 31 and a needle guide portion 32 made of elastomer or the like in order from above. A polymer gel 33 mainly composed of a copolymer of polyethylene and styrene is disposed on the outer periphery of the through hole 34. Further, the upper end surface of the supply port shielding portion 37 (that is, the surface formed by the gel cover portion 31) has a mortar shape that is recessed downward toward the through hole 34.

  On the other hand, the planar shape of the drinking water supply port 30 is a circle centered on the through hole 34, as shown in FIG. A polymer gel 33 is disposed on the outer periphery of the through hole 34, and a circular gel cover portion 31 is disposed on the outer periphery of the polymer gel 33 and along the inner periphery of the drinking water supply port 30.

  The polymer gel 33 is a member having an adsorptivity with respect to the plastic bag 10 in contact with the vicinity of the outer periphery of the through hole 34, and is for improving the adhesion between the plastic bag 10 and the bottom 19 around the through hole 34. is there. In addition, the polymer gel 33 is comprised with the main ingredient and oil, The structure has the stitch structure which a main ingredient makes. The oil is paraffinic oil.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the cross-sectional shape of the polymer gel 33 is a convex shape that is bilaterally symmetric about the through hole 34, and the planar shape is a circular shape centered on the through hole 34. doing. The shape of the polymer gel 33 is not limited to this, and may be a rectangular shape with the through hole 34 as the center.

  Thus, since the polymer gel 33 is arrange | positioned in the outer periphery of the through-hole 34, when the plastic bag 10 is mounted in the water server tray 3 in the water server 1 according to the present embodiment, In the surroundings, the polymer gel 33 can be adsorbed to the plastic bag 10 to enhance the adhesion with the plastic bag 10.

  In place of the polymer gel 33, an elastomer having adsorptivity to the plastic bag 10 may be disposed. Or you may arrange | position the member which has many fine suction cups and has the same flexibility as the polymer gel mentioned above, and can obtain the sealing effect similar to a polymer gel.

  The gel cover part 31 and the needle guide part 32 hold | maintain the polymer gel 33 so that it may not remove | deviate from the supply port shielding part 37. FIG. The polymer gel 33 is covered with the gel cover part 31 and the needle guide part 32, and is held so that the polymer gel 33 is not detached by the vertical movement of the needle 11. The gel cover portion 31 has a through hole 34 for projecting the needle 11 upward at the center thereof. On the other hand, the needle guide portion 32 is disposed in the lower layer of the gel cover portion 31 and has an insertion path 35 that guides the needle 11 so as to guide it to the through hole 34.

  Note that the radius of the through hole 34 is larger than the radius of the needle 11 (the radius of the cross-sectional shape in the horizontal direction), but it is preferable to have a size that does not cause a large gap between the through hole 34 and the needle 11. . Specifically, for example, the gap between the through hole 34 and the needle 11 is preferably 1 mm or less.

(Needle housing part)
As shown in FIG. 2, the needle housing part 13 includes a needle 11, a spring 14, a needle holder 15, a joint part 16, and a pipe receiving part 17. An opening 36 is formed at the lower end of the needle accommodating portion 13, that is, at the proximal end portion of the needle accommodating portion 13.

  The needle 11 is for making a hole in the plastic bag 10 and can be formed of, for example, stainless steel or resin. The needle 11 is preferably coated with a so-called antibacterial agent.

  The needle 11 is formed with a water intake 56 which will be described later, and a flow path (not shown) is provided in the needle 11 to communicate with the water intake 56 and to send drinking water toward the lower body 2. Is formed. The diameter of the flow path may be formed so as to be constant regardless of the external shape of the needle 11, or may be formed so that the diameter changes along the external shape of the needle 11. The detailed structure of the needle 11 will be described later.

  The joint portion 16 joins the needle 11 to the needle holder 15, and is joined to the needle 11 at one end thereof so as to cover the outer periphery of the proximal end portion of the needle 11, and at the other end portion. It is inserted into the needle holder 15 and fixed. The joint portion 16 has a cylindrical shape in which the diameter of the center portion is larger than the diameter of both end portions in the vertical direction, so that both ends are narrowed (see FIG. 2). And the junction part 16 is hollow so that the outer periphery of the needle 11 can be covered and can hold | maintain the needle 11, and the drinking water sent through the needle 11 can be sent toward the main body part 2 below. It has become.

  The needle holder 15 holds the needle 11 joined through the joint portion 16 in the needle housing portion 13 and receives an internal pipe 27 (see FIG. 6) provided in the main body portion 2. 27 is also joined. 2 and 6, the needle holder 15 has a cylindrical shape along the inner periphery of the needle housing portion 13, and the shape of the proximal end portion of the joint portion 16 so that the joint portion 16 can be held. An insertion hole is formed in accordance with (the outer peripheral dimension of the base end). Further, a pipe receiving portion 17 is formed on the opposite side (downward side) of the needle holder 15 from the side where the joining portion 16 is held. The pipe receiving portion 17 has a cylindrical shape whose outer peripheral dimension is smaller than that of the needle holder 15. As shown in FIG. 6, the outer circumference of the inner pipe 27 can be accommodated inside the pipe receiving portion 17. It is hollow with the shape along.

  When the internal pipe 27 is inserted into the pipe receiving portion 17, the hollow portion of the joint portion 16 communicates with the internal pipe 27 in the needle holder 15, and the inside of the joint portion 16 is passed through the needle 11. The distributed drinking water flows to the internal pipe 27.

  Further, in the needle housing portion 13, the spring 14 is disposed between the needle holder 15 and the supply port shielding portion 37. The spring 14 is a so-called coil spring and is arranged so that the needle 11 penetrates through a spirally wound metal wire. In a state where the water server tray 3 containing the plastic bag 10 is not placed on the main body 2, the needle holder 15 is pressed to the lower side of the needle housing part 13 by the spring 14 (see, for example, FIG. 2). ). Thereby, the needle 11 is held in a state of being accommodated in the needle accommodating portion 13.

  Then, when the water server tray 3 containing the plastic bag 10 is placed on the upper portion of the main body 2, the tip of the internal pipe 27 is inserted into the hollow portion of the pipe receiving part 17, and fitted into the pipe receiving part 17. Is pushed upward. Thereby, the needle 11 accommodated in the needle accommodating part 13 penetrates the through-hole 34 of the drinking water supply port 30 arrange | positioned above the needle accommodating part 13, and protrudes.

(Needle protrusion mechanism)
Next, the protrusion mechanism of the needle 11 penetrating the plastic bag 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6 described above.

  Specifically, the needle 11 passes through the through hole 34 and protrudes from the bottom portion 19 (the supply port shielding portion 37 of the drinking water supply port 30) as follows. That is, before the water server tray 3 on which the plastic bag 10 is placed is attached to the main body 2, as shown in FIG. 2, the needle holder 15 is pressed below the needle housing portion 13 by the spring 14. The pipe receiving part 17 is in a state of projecting from an opening part 36 provided below the needle housing part 13. A plastic bag 10 filled with drinking water is set in the water server tray 3 and placed on the main body 2. More specifically, the leg portions 12 a to 12 d are inserted and fixed in the four insertion holes formed in the upper surface 25 of the main body portion 2, and the needle accommodating portion 13 protruding downward is arranged at the center portion of the upper surface 25. It is fixed by being fitted into the receiving portion 26 formed in the above.

  The receiving portion 26 is adjacent to the cooling tank 21 at its bottom, and an internal pipe 27 communicating with the inside of the cooling tank 21 passes through the center of the bottom of the receiving portion 26 and goes upward. For this reason, when the needle accommodating part 13 is fitted into the receiving part 26, the internal pipe 27 and the pipe receiving part 17 are fitted, and the needle holder 15 is pushed upward in the needle accommodating part 13 through the pipe receiving part 17. As a result, the needle 11 joined to the needle holder 15 via the joint portion 16 moves upward along the insertion path 35 and protrudes upward from the through hole 34. The needle 11 is pierced into the plastic bag 10 set in the water server tray 3 and opens a hole in the plastic bag 10.

  As described above, since the needle 11 is accommodated in the needle accommodating portion 13 before the water server tray 3 is attached to the main body portion 2, the user is prevented from being injured at the tip of the needle 11. Can do.

(Needle structure)
Next, the structure of the needle 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the needle 11 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a sharpened portion 51 having a sharp shape so as to open a hole in the plastic bag 10 is formed at the tip of the needle 11. Then, in order from the sharpened portion 51 toward the proximal end portion of the needle 11 (in the axial direction of the needle 11), a conical first tapered portion 52, a cylindrical first straight (extended) portion 53, a truncated cone shape. The second tapered portion 54 and the second straight (extended) portion 55 are provided. In addition, a flow path is formed inside the needle 11 so that water filled in the plastic bag 10 can flow toward the main body 2.

  Furthermore, in the needle 11 according to the present embodiment, a small water intake 56 for taking in drinking water filled in the plastic bag 10 is provided on the side surface of the first tapered portion 52 and the side surface of the first straight portion 53. A plurality are formed. However, the position where the water intake 56 is formed is not limited to this position. For example, a plurality of water intakes 56 may be formed on the side surface of the first tapered portion 52. The shape and the number of the water intakes 56 are arbitrary as long as the shape and the number can efficiently take in the drinking water filled in the plastic bag 10 into the needle 11.

  The sharpened portion 51 has a sharp shape so that a hole can be opened in the plastic bag 10 when it comes into contact with the plastic bag 10 filled with drinking water. When the sharpened portion 51 pierces the plastic bag 10 and the hole is opened, a part of the plastic bag 10 that is torn around the hole (the plastic film at the edge of the opened hole) is the protruding direction (movement direction) of the needle 11 Stand up to. The edge portion of the raised hole is referred to as a perforated edge portion (edge contact portion) 60 in this specification.

  The first tapered portion 52 further expands the opening size of the hole formed by the sharpened portion 51, and the side surface is inclined so that the outer diameter of the needle 11 increases from the sharpened portion 51 toward the proximal end portion of the needle 11. Thus, it has a conical shape with the sharpened portion 51 as a vertex. When the first taper portion 52 passes through the hole opened in the plastic bag 10 as the needle 11 moves upward relative to the mounting surface 20, the opening size of the hole is further increased. And the range of the perforation edge 60 which has stood up along the moving direction of the needle 11 becomes large because an opening dimension is expanded.

  In the needle 11 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of water intake ports 56 formed in the first tapered portion 52 in a circular outer diameter cross section are radially uniform with the sharpened portion 51 as the center. It is devised to be placed in. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the external shape of the vicinity of the sharpened portion 51 of the needle 11 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the needle 11 is viewed from the sharpened portion 51 side toward the proximal end portion side.

  That is, if the number of water intakes 56 is reduced and the hole diameter is increased, the plastic bag 10 may be damaged at the edge of the hole diameter.

  Furthermore, the tension acting on the plastic film differs depending on the weight of the drinking water filled in the plastic bag 10 between the portion of the first tapered portion 52 where the water intake 56 is formed and the other portion. In other words, the plastic film portion that is in close contact with the wall surface of the first taper portion 52 results in less tension acting on the plastic film portion due to the resistance received from the wall surface. On the other hand, since the plastic film portion corresponding to the water intake port 56 is not supported by the wall surface, the tension acts as it is.

  As described above, in the first tapered portion 52, the plastic film is plastically deformed because there is a difference in the magnitude of the tension acting on the plastic bag 10 between the portion where the water intake 56 is formed and the portion where the water intake 56 is not formed. The amount will be different. For this reason, there may be a difference in the height of the perforated edge 60 formed by the first tapered portion 52 between the portion where the water intake 56 is formed and the portion where the water intake 56 is not formed. If this difference becomes too large, the perforation edge 60 may crack in some cases.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first tapered portion 52 is devised so that the water intake ports 56 are uniformly arranged radially around the sharpened portion 51.

  The first straight portion 53 further pulls the perforation edge 60 upward (in the movement direction of the needle 11), and extends in the axial direction of the needle 11 from the first taper portion 52 toward the proximal end side of the needle 11. It has an elongated bar shape. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the dimensions of the upper and lower bases of the first straight portion 53 have a cylindrical shape that matches the bottom surface dimension of the first tapered portion 52. However, the first straight portion 53 does not necessarily have a cylindrical shape. For example, the frustum shape in which the side surface of the 1st straight part 53 inclined gently may be sufficient. As the needle 11 moves upward with respect to the mounting surface 20, when the first straight portion 53 passes through the hole formed in the plastic bag 10, the perforated edge portion 60 attached to the first straight portion 53 moves upward. Is pulled toward.

  The second tapered portion 54 is a portion where the perforated edge 60 of the plastic bag 10 is fixed to the needle 11. That is, at the time when the insertion operation of the needle 11 into the plastic bag 10 is completed, the perforation edge portion 60 is a portion in contact with the needle 11. The second taper portion 54 has a truncated cone shape whose side surface is inclined so that the outer diameter increases from the first straight portion 53 toward the proximal end portion of the needle 11. That is, the upper bottom dimension of the second tapered portion 54 is the same as the bottom dimension of the first straight section 53, but the bottom dimension is larger than the bottom dimension of the first straight section 53.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the fixing position of the needle 11 inserted into the plastic bag 10 is determined so that at least a part of the perforation edge 60 is in contact with the second tapered portion 54. When the needle 11 and the plastic bag 10 are maintained in the positional relationship described above, the perforation edge 60 is pressed against the inclined side surface of the second tapered portion 54 by the water pressure of the drinking water in the plastic bag 10. . For this reason, the adhesion between the perforated edge 60 of the plastic bag 10 and the needle 11 is improved.

  By the way, the role with respect to the plastic bag 10 differs in the 1st taper part 52 and the 2nd taper part 54 as mentioned above. That is, the first taper portion 52 plays a role of expanding the opening size of the hole formed in the plastic bag 10, whereas the second taper portion 54 plays a role of improving the adhesion between the plastic bag 10 and the needle 11. Is responsible.

  Here, the first taper portion 52 is configured so that the inclination angle of the side surface is smaller than that of the second taper portion 54 in order to reduce the resistance received when the needle 11 is inserted into the plastic bag 10 as much as possible. On the contrary, the second taper portion 54 has an angle of inclination of the side surface of the first taper portion 52 so that the plastic film of the plastic bag 10 and the needle 11 can be firmly adhered in a state where the needle 11 is stuck into the plastic bag 10. It is comprised so that it may become larger.

  More specifically, the angle formed by the axial direction (movement direction) of the needle 11 and the side surface is preferably 10 ° or less in the case of the first tapered portion 52. On the other hand, in the case of the 2nd taper part 54, it is preferable that it is 5 degrees or more. The 2nd taper part 54 is the range of 10 degrees or more and 20 degrees or less more suitably.

  The second straight portion 55 has a rod shape extending from the second tapered portion 54 toward the proximal end portion of the needle 11. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the dimensions of the upper and lower bases of the second straight portion 55 have a cylindrical shape that matches the bottom surface dimension of the second tapered portion 54, but they need to be cylindrical. There is no. For example, a truncated cone shape in which the side surface of the second straight portion 55 is gently inclined may be used. In the needle 11, the proximal end portion of the second straight portion 55 is fixed to the needle holder 15 via the joint portion 16.

(Needle insertion into plastic bag)
Next, a process of inserting the needle 11 into the plastic bag 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the needle 11 is inserted into the plastic bag 10 according to the present embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the water intake 56 is omitted in FIG.

  First, when the needle 11 moves upward with respect to the placement surface 20 and comes into contact with the plastic bag 10 supported on the placement surface 20, a hole is made in the plastic bag 10 by the sharpened portion 51 (in FIG. 9). Hole formation). At this time, a perforation edge 60 is formed around the opened hole.

  When the needle 11 further moves upward, the plastic bag 10 has ductility, so that it is pulled in the moving direction of the needle 11 while sticking to the first taper portion 52, and the opening size of the hole formed in the plastic bag 10 is increased. Will spread. Along with this, the perforation edge 60 also becomes larger. (The 1st hole expansion in Drawing 9). That is, the first taper portion 52 gradually increases the size of the hole in the radial direction of the hole, and the area where the needle 11 and the plastic bag 10 are in contact with each other increases.

  When the needle 11 further moves upward with respect to the mounting surface 20, the perforation edge portion 60 is attached to the side surface of the first straight portion 53, and an upward force associated with the movement of the needle 11 is applied to the first edge portion 60. Received through the straight portion 53. For this reason, the perforation edge 60 is pulled and stretched in the moving direction of the needle 11, that is, the upward direction (perforation edge tension in FIG. 9).

  Further, when the needle 11 moves upward with respect to the mounting surface 20, the perforation edge portion 60 is stuck to the side surface of the second tapered portion 54 while the hole is enlarged in the radial direction by the second tapered portion 54. It becomes. In this state, the upward movement of the needle 11 is stopped, and the needle 11 is fixed (fixation of the needle in FIG. 9). In the present embodiment, as shown in (fixing of the needle in FIG. 9), the needle 11 is fixed in a state where the perforated edge 60 is in contact with the side surface of the second tapered portion 54. In particular, as shown in FIG. 9, the needle 11 is fixed in a state where the perforated edge 60 is in contact with the second tapered portion 54 and the first straight portion 53.

  As described above, in the water server tray 3 according to the present embodiment, the hole of the plastic bag 10 opened by the sharpened portion 51 is expanded (stretched) in the radial direction of the hole by the first tapered portion 52, and the perforated edge portion 60 is enlarged. Further, the perforation edge 60 is extended in the protruding direction of the needle 11 by the first straight portion 53. That is, the water server tray 3 has a configuration in which the hole formed in the plastic bag 10 is extended in the radial direction and the needle is extended in the moving direction (upward) in a stepwise manner.

  For this reason, it is possible to prevent the plastic bag 10 from being cracked as compared with the configuration in which the needle 11 forms holes of a desired size in the plastic bag 10 at once.

  Furthermore, the water server tray 3 has a structure in which the plastic film of the plastic bag 10 can be stretched in the moving direction of the needle 11 by the first straight portion 53 of the needle 11 as described above. For this reason, the molecules in the plastic film are aligned in the stretching direction and rigidity is increased, and a force acts in the direction of pressing the plastic film against the needle 11 by this stretching, so that the plastic film and the needle 11 can be firmly adhered.

  Further, the needle 11 is fixed in a state where the perforated edge 60 is in contact with the side surface of the second tapered portion 54. Thus, when the needle 11 is fixed in a state where the piercing edge 60 is in contact with the second tapered portion 54, the piercing edge 60 is pulled upward in a state where the needle 11 is stuck to the inclined surface of the second tapered portion 54. Thus, it is plastically deformed and maintained in close contact with the side surface.

  Then, the water pressure acting downward in the vertical direction in the drinking water filled in the plastic bag 10 is applied to the side surface of the second tapered portion 54, and the plastic film of the plastic bag 10 can be firmly pressed by the side surface of the second tapered portion 54. . For this reason, the adhesiveness of the plastic bag 10 and the needle 11 can be improved.

  In addition, when the needle 11 is fixed in a state where the perforated edge 60 is in contact with the second tapered portion 54 and the first straight portion 53, the following points are also advantageous.

  That is, as the drinking water in the plastic bag 10 is supplied to the main body 2 of the water server 1, the plastic bag 10 is deflated. Then, when only a small amount of water remains in the plastic bag 10, the force exerted downward in the vertical direction due to the weight of the water is reduced, and the bottom portion of the plastic bag 10 into which the needle 11 is stuck floats upward. However, in the needle 11 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the perforation edge portion 60 is fixed in a state of being in contact with the first straight portion 53. For this reason, even if the plastic bag 10 is lifted upward, the perforation edge 60 moves upward along the side surface of the first straight portion 53, so that a large gap is formed between the needle 11 and the plastic bag 10. Can be prevented.

  Here, in order to prevent the plastic bag 10 from being lifted upward, a configuration in which the plastic bag 10 is fixed in the vicinity of the through hole 34 is conceivable. In such a configuration, the upper surface side of the deflated plastic bag 10 is considered. The plastic film is pierced with the needle 11. For this reason, the tip of the needle 11 (the sharp part 51) protrudes from the plastic bag 10, which is dangerous.

  The structure of the needle 11 is not limited to the structure described above. Below, the modification of the structure of the needle 11 is given and demonstrated.

(Needle modification 1)
As a modification of the needle 11, for example, a structure shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the needle 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The needle 11 according to the modification shown in FIG. 10 is different in the shape of the first taper portion 52 from the structure of the needle 11 shown in FIG. 7 described above.

  That is, the first tapered portion 52 of the needle 11 shown in FIG. 7 has a tapered shape that tapers toward the sharpened portion 51 symmetrically. On the other hand, the first tapered portion 52 of the needle 11 shown in FIG. 10 has a tapered shape in which only one side portion is inclined obliquely toward the sharpened portion 51 in a cross-sectional shape cut vertically. That is, the needle 11 has a shape in which the tip of the cylinder is cut obliquely. A water intake 56 communicating with the hollow portion of the needle 11 is formed on the surface that can be cut out.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 10, when the sharpened portion 51 has a shape located on the outer periphery of the diameter of the needle 11, when the needle 11 is pierced into the plastic bag 10, the sharpened portion 51 and the cutout as described above are cut off. A crescent-shaped hole may be formed by the formed first tapered portion 52. This is because the notch (hole) formed in the plastic bag 10 at the sharpened portion 51 is sharply cut by the edge of the notched surface of the first tapered portion 52, and the perforated edge according to the present embodiment A sleeve shape with a high collar like the portion 60 cannot be formed, and a crescent-shaped hole is formed. However, the holes formed in the plastic bag 10 are preferably as close to a circle as possible. For this reason, in the needle 11 shown in FIG. 10, the edge of the surface that can be cut out is rounded to prevent the above-described cutting, and the shape of the cut (hole) formed by the sharpened portion 51 does not become a crescent moon. Devised.

  The other structure of the needle 11 shown in FIG. 10 is the same as that of the needle 11 shown in FIG.

(Needle modification 2)
Further, as a further modification of the needle 11, there is a structure as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the needle 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The needle 11 according to the second modification shown in FIG. 11 has a constricted portion in which a diameter dimension is smaller in the part of the second straight part 55 than in the other part as compared with the structure of the needle 11 shown in FIG. The difference is that 57 is formed. Further, it is different in that the needle 11 is fixed so that the perforated edge portion 60 is positioned at the constricted portion 57 in a state where the needle 11 is stuck into the plastic bag 10.

  Furthermore, the difference is that the inclination angle of the side surface of the second tapered portion 54 with respect to the axial direction of the needle 11 is reduced. At this time, the angle formed by the side surface of the second tapered portion 54 and the axial direction of the needle 11 is preferably 10 ° or less.

  That is, the role of the second tapered portion 54 of the needle 11 according to the modified example 2 with respect to the plastic bag 10 is different from the second tapered portion 54 of the needle 11 shown in FIG. That is, the second taper portion 54 of the needle 11 shown in FIG. 7 is inclined at the side surface in order to improve the adhesion between the plastic bag 10 and the needle 11 under the water pressure of the drinking water in the plastic bag 10. However, the second tapered portion 54 of the needle 11 according to the modified example 2 has a side surface inclined to further widen the opening size of the hole formed by the sharpened portion 51 and the first tapered portion 52. For this reason, the inclination angle of the second tapered portion 54 of the needle 11 according to the modified example 2 is shown in FIG. 7 so that a large resistance does not occur in the needle 11 inserted into the plastic bag 10 like the first tapered portion 52. It is smaller than the second tapered portion 54 of the needle 11.

  As described above, the needle 11 according to the modified example 2 is fixed so that the perforated edge 60 is positioned at the constricted portion 57. For this reason, even if the state in which the plastic bag 10 is pulled out from the needle 11 occurs, the perforation edge 60 is caught by the step formed by the constricted portion 57 and can be prevented from falling off.

  Moreover, since it is the structure which expands the opening dimension of a hole in both the 1st taper part 52 and the 2nd taper part 54, the area of the piercing edge part 60 becomes larger and the adhesiveness of the needle 11 and the plastic bag 10 is improved. You can also.

  Since the structure of the needle 11 shown in FIG. 11 is the same as the structure of the needle 11 shown in FIG. 7 except for the structure described above, the description of the other structure is omitted.

(Needle modification 3)
Further, as a further modification of the needle 11, a structure as shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the needle 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The needle 11 according to the modification shown in FIG. 12 differs from the structure of the needle 11 shown in FIG. 7 described above in the following points.

  That is, the first tapered portion 52 of the needle 11 shown in FIG. 7 has a tapered shape that tapers toward the sharpened portion 51 symmetrically. On the other hand, the first taper portion 52 of the needle 11 shown in FIG. 12 is different in that it has a tapered shape in which only one side portion is inclined toward the sharpened portion 51 in a vertically cut cross-sectional shape. That is, the shapes of the sharpened portion 51 and the first tapered portion 52 of the needle 11 according to Modification 3 are the same as the shapes of the sharpened portion 51 and the first tapered portion 52 of the needle 11 according to Modified Example 1.

  Furthermore, it differs from the structure of the needle 11 shown in FIG. 7 in that a constricted portion 57 having a smaller diameter than other portions is formed in a part of the second straight portion 55. Further, the needle 11 is different from the needle 11 shown in FIG. 7 and the needle 11 according to the modified example 1 in that the needle 11 is fixed at a position where the perforated edge portion 60 contacts the constricted portion 57. Furthermore, the needle 11 shown in FIG. 7 and the needle 11 according to Modification 1 are also different in that the inclination angle of the second taper portion 54 with respect to the axial direction of the needle 11 is reduced. However, with respect to the needle 11 shown in FIG. 7 and the needle 11 according to the modified example 1 (the point where the needle 11 is fixed is different and the inclination angle of the second taper portion with respect to the axial direction is small). Since it is the same as the needle 11 according to the above-described modification 2, the description thereof is omitted.

(Needle modification 4)
Further, as a further modification of the needle 11, a structure as shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the needle 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The needle 11 according to the modification shown in FIG. 13 is different from the structure of the needle 11 shown in FIG.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 13, in the structure of the needle 11 shown in FIG. 7, a third taper portion 58 and a third straight (extension) portion 59 are further arranged on the base end side of the second straight portion 55. Is different.

  The third tapered portion 58 is a portion where the perforated edge portion 60 of the plastic bag 10 is fixed to the needle 11. That is, at the time when the insertion operation of the needle 11 into the plastic bag 10 is completed, the perforation edge portion 60 is a portion in contact with the needle 11. The third tapered portion 58 has a truncated cone shape whose side surface is inclined so that the outer diameter increases from the second straight portion 55 toward the proximal end portion of the needle 11. That is, the upper bottom dimension of the third tapered portion 58 is the same as the bottom dimension of the second straight section 55, but the bottom dimension is larger than the bottom dimension of the second straight section 55.

  The third straight portion 59 is disposed so as to be in contact with the base end portion of the third taper portion 58, and has a cylindrical shape in which the dimensions of the upper base and the lower base coincide with the bottom dimension of the third taper portion 58. ing. A base end portion of the third straight portion 59 is fixed to the needle holder 15 via the joint portion 16.

  As described above, the needle 11 according to the modification 4 has a configuration in which the hole of the plastic bag 10 can be enlarged in the radial direction by the first tapered portion 52 and the second tapered portion 54. Furthermore, the needle 11 according to the modification 4 has a configuration in which the perforation edge 60 can be pulled in the moving direction (upward) of the needle 11 by the first straight portion 53 and the second straight portion 55. For this reason, since the larger perforation edge part 60 can be formed and closely_contact | adhered to the needle 11, both adhesiveness can further be improved.

  13, the needle 11 according to the modified example 4 has a beverage filled in the plastic bag 10 on the side surface of the first tapered portion 52, the side surface of the first straight portion 53, and the side surface of the second tapered portion 54. A plurality of small water intakes 56 for taking in water are formed. However, the position where the water intake 56 is formed is not limited to this position.

(Needle modification 5)
Further, as a further modification of the needle 11, a structure as shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the needle 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The needle 11 according to the modification shown in FIG. 14 is different from the structure of the needle 11 according to Modification 1 described above in the following points.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the third taper portion 58 and the third straight portion 59 are further disposed on the base end side of the second straight portion 55. The point that the needle 11 further includes the third tapered portion 58 and the third straight portion 59 is the same as that of the needle 11 according to Modification 4 described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, the needle 11 according to the modified example 5 has a configuration in which the hole of the plastic bag 10 can be enlarged in the radial direction by the first tapered portion 52 and the second tapered portion 54. Furthermore, the needle 11 according to the modified example 5 is configured such that the perforation edge 60 can be pulled in the moving direction (upward) of the needle 11 by the first straight portion 53 and the second straight portion 55. For this reason, since the larger perforation edge part 60 can be formed and closely_contact | adhered to the needle 11, both adhesiveness can further be improved.

(Needle modification 6)
Further, as a further modification of the needle 11, a structure as shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the needle 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The needle 11 according to the modified example 6 shown in FIG. 15 has the proximal end portion side end of the constricted portion 57 as the proximal end portion of the needle 11 in the configuration of the needle 11 according to the modified example 2 shown in FIG. It is good also as a structure which inclined the side surface so that a diameter may become large toward it. As shown in FIG. 15, the diameter of the second straight portion 55 is larger on the proximal end side of the needle 11 than the constricted portion 57.

  When configured in this way, the perforation edge 60 can be maintained in contact with the inclined portion, and the perforation edge 60 further extends from the constricted portion 57 having a reduced diameter to the proximal end of the needle 11. It can prevent slipping down to the part side.

(Needle modification 7)
Further, as a further modification of the needle 11, a structure as shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the needle 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The needle 11 according to the modified example 7 shown in FIG. 16 has an end on the proximal end side of the constricted portion 57 as the proximal end of the needle 11 in the configuration of the needle 11 according to the modified example 3 shown in FIG. It is good also as a structure which inclined the side surface so that a diameter may become large toward it. As shown in FIG. 16, the second straight portion 55 has a larger diameter on the proximal end side of the needle 11 than the constricted portion 57.

  When configured in this way, the perforation edge 60 can be maintained in contact with the inclined portion, and the perforation edge 60 further extends from the constricted portion 57 having a reduced diameter to the proximal end of the needle 11. It can prevent slipping down to the part side.

  Note that the above-described needle 11 (the needle 11 shown in FIG. 7 and the needle 11 according to Modifications 1 to 7) has a structure in which a tapered portion and a straight portion are combined, and the straight portion is along the protruding direction of the needle 11. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the straight portion only needs to have a shape that can stretch the plastic film of the plastic bag 10 in the protruding direction of the needle 11, and may have a shape that tapers toward the sharpened portion 51 at an inclination angle smaller than the tapered portion. Good.

  Further, the side surfaces of the first to third tapered portions 52, 54, and 58 may be linearly inclined from the sharpened portion 51 of the needle 11 toward the proximal end portion, or draw a gentle arc. The shape may be curved and inclined.

  In addition, the needle 11 described above includes the first tapered portion 52 and the second tapered portion 54, and the first straight portion 53 and the second straight portion 55. Alternatively, the needle 11 includes the first tapered portion 52, the second tapered portion 54, and the third tapered portion 58, and the first straight portion 53, the second straight portion 55, and the third straight portion as the fourth and fifth modifications. 59.

  However, the number of taper portions and straight portions is not limited to these. If the taper portion and the straight portion are repeated in this order from the tip (the sharp portion 51) of the needle 11 toward the base end portion, a taper portion and a straight portion may be further provided. The number of tapered portions and the number of straight portions provided are preferably determined as appropriate according to characteristics such as ductility of the plastic film forming the plastic bag 10.

  In the needle 11 described above, the sharpened portion 51, the first to third tapered portions 52, 54, 58 and the first to third straight portions 53, 55, 59 are formed of the same material such as stainless steel, for example. . However, for example, when the needle 11 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel, when the surface roughness is rough and sufficient adhesion to the plastic film of the plastic bag 10 cannot be obtained, an elastomer or the like is attached to the surface of the needle 11. It is good also as a structure.

  Further, when a hole is formed in the plastic bag 10 with the sharpened portion 51, in order to make the hole as circular as possible, the plastic film portion of the plastic bag 10 into which the sharpened portion 51 pierces is uniform without wrinkles. It is preferably in a pulled state. Therefore, the water server tray 3 may be configured as follows so that the sharpened portion 51 of the needle 11 is stuck into the plastic bag 10 while being pulled uniformly. A modification of the water server tray will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a main configuration of the water server tray 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

(Water server tray according to Modification 1)
The water server tray 3 according to Modification 1 is different from the water server tray 3 described above in the configuration of the drinking water supply port (supply port) 30.

  That is, in the water server tray 3 described above, the supply port shielding portion 37 in the drinking water supply port 30 is constituted by the gel cover portion 31, the needle guide portion 32, and the polymer gel 33.

  However, as shown in FIG. 17, in the water server tray 3 according to the first modification, the supply port shielding portion (shielding portion) 37 is integrally formed of an elastomer or the like, and protrudes upward in the center of the supply port shielding portion 37. The difference is that the hemispherical needle receiving portion 39 is arranged.

  That is, the supply port shielding part 37 has a shape corresponding to the inner peripheral shape of the drinking water supply port 30 as shown in FIG. An insertion path (guide hole) 35 is formed inside the supply port shielding portion 37 in order to guide the needle 11 so as to pass through the supply port shielding portion 37 and protrude toward the plastic bag 10. ing. In addition, a through hole 34 communicating with the insertion path 35 of the supply port shielding portion 37 is formed at the center of the needle receiving portion 39 disposed substantially at the center of the upper surface of the supply port shielding portion 37, and the water server tray When the plastic bag 10 is set to 3, the needle 11 protrudes upward from below through the through hole 34 and can penetrate the bottom surface of the plastic bag 10. In addition, a ring-shaped cushion portion 38 is disposed at the distal end portion of the needle receiving portion 39 and on the outer periphery of the through hole 34. The cushion part 38 should just be a thing in which a shape deform | transforms according to the pressure which acts from the plastic bag 10. FIG. For example, it may be formed from a polymer gel mainly composed of a copolymer of polyethylene and styrene.

  Thus, since the needle receiving part 39 is provided in the center of the supply port shielding part 37, the bottom part of the plastic bag 10 pierced by the needle 11 can be lifted upward. For this reason, in the lifted portion, a force (tension) for pulling the plastic film forming the plastic bag 10 downward acts. Due to this tension, wrinkles formed in the plastic film are stretched, and as a result, the wrinkles are eliminated in the vicinity of the apex of the raised portion of the plastic bag 10. Then, the needle 11 pierces the plastic bag 10 that is lifted by the needle receiver 39. The portion pierced by the needle 11 is in a state in which wrinkles are eliminated as described above and tension is applied to the plastic film. For this reason, a hole having a size corresponding to the shape of the sharpened portion 51 of the needle 11 can be formed in the plastic bag 10.

  From the foregoing description, many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention are obvious to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description should be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of the structure and / or function may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  According to the present invention, liquid leakage can be prevented between a plastic bag filled with a liquid and a needle for opening a hole in the plastic bag. In particular, it can be effectively used in a water server in which drinking water is supplied by a plastic bag filled with drinking water.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water server 2 Main body part 3 Water server tray 10 Plastic bag 11 Needle 13 Needle accommodating part 18 Outer wall 19 Bottom part 20 Mounting surface 30 Drinking water supply port 33 Polymer gel 34 Through-hole 35 Insertion path 36 Opening part 37 Supply port shielding Part 38 Cushion part 39 Needle receiving part 51 Pointed part 52 First taper part 53 First straight part 54 Second taper part 55 Second straight part 56 Water intake 57 Constriction part 58 Third taper part 59 Third straight part 60 Perforated edge Part

Claims (6)

A water server tray on which a plastic bag filled with drinking water to be supplied to the water server body is placed,
A mounting surface for mounting the plastic bag;
A needle that pierces the bottom surface of the plastic bag by moving upward with respect to the placement surface and guides drinking water in the plastic bag to the water server body,
The needle is
A sharp pointed portion so as to open a hole in the bottom surface of the plastic bag;
A first tapered portion having a shape in which a side surface is inclined so that an outer diameter increases from the sharpened portion toward a proximal end portion of the needle;
A rod-shaped first extending portion extending from the first tapered portion toward the proximal end of the needle;
A second tapered portion having a shape in which a side surface is inclined so that an outer diameter increases from the first extending portion toward a proximal end portion of the needle,
At least a part of the edge contact portion formed at the edge of the hole of the plastic bag and in contact with the needle of the plastic bag is in contact with the needle from the second taper portion to the proximal end portion of the needle. Water server tray fixed to A supply port extending downward from the placement surface to supply drinking water filled in the plastic bag to the water server body;
A shielding portion in which a guide hole is formed as a passage for guiding the needle so that the needle protrudes upward with respect to the placement surface, while closing the inside of the supply port;
The bottom surface of the plastic bag formed on the top surface of the shielding portion and placed on the mounting surface is pushed upward, and the needle guided by the guide hole protrudes upward to pierce the bottom surface of the plastic bag. The water server tray according to claim 1, further comprising: a needle receiving portion in which a through hole is formed.   The water server tray according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the needle is fixed at a position where the edge contact portion is in contact with both the first extending portion and the second tapered portion.   4. The water server tray according to claim 3, wherein an inclination angle of the side surface of the second tapered portion with respect to the axial direction of the needle is larger than an inclination angle of the side surface of the first tapered portion with respect to the axial direction of the needle. The needle is
A rod-shaped second extending portion extending from the second tapered portion toward the proximal end of the needle;
A third taper portion having a shape in which a side surface is inclined so that an outer diameter increases from the second extending portion toward a proximal end portion of the needle,
The inclination angle of the side surface of the third tapered portion with respect to the axial direction is larger than the inclination angle of the side surface of the second tapered portion with respect to the axial direction of the needle,
The water server tray according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the needle is fixed at a position where the edge contact portion is in contact with both the second extending portion and the third tapered portion. The needle is
A second extending portion extending from the second tapered portion toward the proximal end of the needle;
The second extending portion is formed with a constricted portion in which a part of the second extending portion is thinned,
The water server tray according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the needle is fixed at a position where the edge contact portion is in contact with the constricted portion.

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