JP2024056015A - Container Connection Module - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a container connection module with a simple configuration that allows a beverage container to be used as a water supply device in a refrigerator. [Solution] A container connection module (40) includes a container connection part (44) that is connected to a drinking spout part (43) of a beverage container (42), and an outflow adjustment part (45) that prevents the outflow of beverage from the beverage container (42) when the user is not operating it, and allows the beverage to outflow from the beverage container (42) when the user is operating it. In addition, in the container connection module (40), the container connection part (44) has a shape in which the outer diameter becomes thinner toward the container, and the outer surface of the container connection part (44) comes into contact with the inner wall of the drinking spout part (43) of the beverage container (42), thereby sealing the gap between the container connection part (44) and the drinking spout part (43). [Selected Figure] Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a container connection module.

Refrigerators equipped with a water supply mechanism, such as that described in Patent Document 1, have been known for some time. In this refrigerator, a water supply tank for storing drinking water is disposed inside an insulated door that closes a refrigerator compartment formed in the upper part of an insulated box body, a hollow water supply chamber is formed on the outer surface of the insulated door, and a water filling lever is disposed inside the water supply chamber. In addition, a water filling section that communicates with the water supply tank is disposed at the upper rear side of the water supply chamber.

In the water supply compartment of the refrigerator with the above configuration, when the user presses a cup against the water supply lever, chilled drinking water is supplied from the water supply tank through the water supply section to the cup.

JP 2017-36061 A

However, in a refrigerator equipped with the above-mentioned water supply mechanism, a water supply tank dedicated to water supply must be provided on the inside surface of the insulated door, and if there is a shortage of drinking water in the water supply tank, the user must supply drinking water to the water supply tank, which creates an issue of cumbersome operation of the water supply mechanism. In addition, when supplying tap water to the water supply tank, there is also an issue that the safety of the tap water is not necessarily guaranteed depending on the country or region in which the refrigerator is used.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a container connection module with a simple configuration that allows a beverage container to be used as a water supply device in a refrigerator.

The present invention is a container connection module that is attached to a beverage container that holds a beverage, and includes a housing section, a container connection section, a tube section, and a check valve. The housing section is a member that is substantially cylindrical and is partially opened to form an opening. The container connection section is attached to the end side of the housing section and configured to be inserted into the mouth section of the beverage container and connected. The tube section is configured to connect the check valve and the opening. The check valve is configured to allow air introduced from the tube section to flow to the beverage container side while preventing the beverage from flowing to the tube section side, and is disposed outside the end of the container connection section in the axial direction of the housing section.

The present invention provides a container connection module with a simple configuration that allows a beverage container to be used as a water supply device in a refrigerator.

1 is a front view showing the appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a container connection module according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a container connection module according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing an intermediate stage of connecting a beverage container to the container connection module, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the container connection module and the beverage container are connected. 1A and 1B are oblique views showing the state in which a beverage container connected to a container connection module according to an embodiment of the present invention is being installed into an insulated door of a refrigerator, where (A) is an oblique view showing the installation process in progress, and (B) is an oblique view showing the installed state. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a situation in which a beverage container connected to a container connection module according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in an insulated door of a refrigerator, where (A) is a cross-sectional view of the insulated door, and (B) is an oblique view of the insulated door of the supply lever from the outside. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the relative configuration of a container connection module and a supply lever in an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is an oblique view showing the container connection module and a supply lever, and (B) is an oblique view showing the supply lever. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing a container connection module according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a cross-sectional view showing a container connection module in a blocked state blocking the outflow of drinking water, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing a container connection module in an open state allowing the outflow of drinking water. A diagram showing the configuration of an insulated door into which a beverage container to which a container connection module of an embodiment of the present invention is connected is incorporated, (A) showing a movable lid in an open state, and (B) showing the movable lid in a closed state.

The container connection module 40 and refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are generally given the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted. Additionally, the terms up, down, front, back, left and right are used as appropriate, with left and right referring to the left and right when the refrigerator 10 is viewed from the front. Additionally, in this embodiment, a refrigerator 10 having a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment is exemplified, but the refrigerator 10 may have only a freezer compartment or only a refrigerator compartment.

Figure 1 is a front view showing the exterior of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator 10 has an insulated box 11 as the main body, and inside the insulated box 11 is a storage compartment for storing food and the like. The storage compartments are a refrigerator compartment 15 at the top, an upper freezer compartment 18 below that, a lower freezer compartment 19 below that, and a vegetable compartment 20 at the bottom. Note that the upper freezer compartment 18 and the lower freezer compartment 19 are both storage compartments in the freezing temperature range, and in the following explanation, they may be collectively referred to as the freezer compartment 17. Here, the upper freezer compartment 18 may be divided into left and right compartments, with one side being used as an ice-making compartment.

The front of the insulated box 11 is open, and the openings corresponding to the storage compartments are provided with an insulated door 21 or the like that can be opened and closed. The insulated door 21 divides and closes the front of the refrigerator compartment 15 in the left-right direction, and the outer upper and lower ends in the width direction of the insulated door 21 are attached to the insulated box 11 so as to be freely rotatable. Insulated doors 23, 24, and 25 are each integrally combined with a storage container, and are supported by the insulated box 11 so as to be freely pulled out to the front of the refrigerator 10. Specifically, the insulated door 23 closes the upper freezer compartment 18, the insulated door 24 closes the lower freezer compartment 19, and the insulated door 25 closes the vegetable compartment 20.

In this embodiment, a beverage supply section 54 is formed on the insulated door 21 that closes the left portion of the refrigerator compartment 15. As described below, the beverage supply section 54 is a recessed portion for supplying drinking water cooled inside the refrigerator compartment 15 to a cup 61.

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of refrigerator 10. The insulated box 11, which is the main body of refrigerator 10, is composed of an outer box 12 made of steel plate with an open front, and an inner box 13 made of synthetic resin with an open front, which is arranged with a gap inside outer box 12. The gap between outer box 12 and inner box 13 is filled with foamed polyurethane insulation material 14. Each of the above-mentioned insulated doors 21, etc. also adopts the same insulation structure as insulated box 11.

The refrigerator compartment 15 and the freezer compartment 17 located below it are separated by an insulated partition wall. The freezer compartment 17 and the vegetable compartment 20 are also separated by an insulated partition wall.

A refrigerator compartment supply air duct is formed on the back of the refrigerator compartment 15 as a supply air duct that supplies cold air to the refrigerator compartment 15.

At the rear of the freezer compartment 17, a freezer compartment supply air duct is formed, which flows the cold air cooled by the cooler 22 into the freezer compartment 17. Further inside the freezer compartment supply air duct, a cooling compartment 26 is formed, and inside it is arranged the cooler 22, which is an evaporator for cooling the air circulating inside the compartment.

The air inside the cooling chamber 26 cooled by the cooler 22 is blown by the blower 16 to the refrigerator chamber 15, the freezer chamber 17 and the vegetable chamber 20.

The cooler 22 is connected to the compressor 27, a radiator (not shown), and a capillary tube (not shown) which is an expansion means, via refrigerant piping, and constitutes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle circuit.

A beverage container 42 is placed inside the insulated door 21, and the drinking water inside the beverage container 42 is also cooled inside the refrigerator compartment 15. The drinking water supplied from the beverage container 42 is also supplied to a cup 61 that the user places in the beverage supply unit 54.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the container connection module 40. The container connection module 40 mainly comprises a container connection section 44 and an outflow adjustment section 45. The container connection module 40 is attached to the drinking spout section 43 of the beverage container 42 described below, and prevents the beverage from flowing out from the beverage container 42 to the outside when there is no user operation, and supplies the beverage from the beverage container 42 to a cup 61 or the like when there is user operation.

The container connection part 44 has an outer diameter that tapers upward, and the outer surface of the container connection part 44 comes into contact with the inner wall of the mouth part 43 of the beverage container 42 described below, thereby sealing the gap between the container connection part 44 and the mouth part 43. A check valve 57 is extended to the outside from the upper end opening of the container connection part 44.

The outflow adjustment unit 45 has a function of preventing the supply of beverage from the beverage container 42 while the user is not operating it, and of supplying beverage from the beverage container 42 while the user is operating it. The specific configuration of the outflow adjustment unit 45 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

The pivoting engagement portion 52 is pivotally attached near the upper end of the housing portion 46 and engages with the beverage container 42 described below. Here, two pivoting engagement portions 52 are attached to opposing portions of the outflow adjustment portion 45. In addition, an engagement opening 521 is formed by opening the upper portion of the pivoting engagement portion 52 in a roughly rectangular shape. The engagement opening 521 is an opening that engages with the flange portion 421 of the beverage container 42, as described below.

The housing portion 46 constitutes the design part of the container connection module 40 and has a generally cylindrical shape with the upper portion being thicker than the lower portion. In addition, a cover portion 51 is provided at the lower end portion of the housing portion 46, surrounding the first movable cylindrical portion 48 from the outside.

The configuration of the container connection module 40 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4(A) is an exploded perspective view showing the container connection module 40, and Figure 4(B) is a side cross-sectional view.

Referring to FIG. 4(A), engaging protrusions 58 that protrude radially outward in a generally cylindrical shape are formed at opposing positions on the outer peripheral surface of the housing portion 46. The engaging protrusions 58 of the housing portion 46 are rotatably fitted into engaging openings 59 formed in the lower end portion of the pivot engaging portion 52. In this way, the pivot engaging portion 52 is provided rotatably on the outer surface of the housing portion 46.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the container connection module 40 has, from the radially outer side, a housing portion 46, a first movable cylindrical portion 48, a fixed cylindrical portion 49, and a second movable cylindrical portion 50.

The first movable cylindrical part 48 is disposed on the lower inside of the housing part 46, and is biased by a biasing member 47 to move along the axial direction in response to user operation. The lower end portion of the first movable cylindrical part 48 has a shape that narrows in diameter in a generally conical shape toward the bottom. In addition, the lower end portion of the first movable cylindrical part 48 engages with the lower end portion of the second movable cylindrical part 50.

The fixed cylindrical portion 49 is a generally cylindrical member disposed inside the housing portion 46. The upper end of the fixed cylindrical portion 49 is continuous with the housing portion 46, and the upper end of the fixed cylindrical portion 49 tapers in a generally conical shape. The fixed cylindrical portion 49 is fixed in position inside the container connection module 40.

The second movable cylindrical part 50 is a substantially cylindrical member built into the fixed cylindrical part 49, and has a substantially cylindrical shape with an outer diameter that gradually decreases toward the bottom. As described above, the lower end of the second movable cylindrical part 50 engages with the lower end portion of the first movable cylindrical part 48. Therefore, the second movable cylindrical part 50 receives the biasing force of the biasing member 47 and moves in the vertical direction together with the first movable cylindrical part 48.

A sealing member 62 is engaged with the outer surface of the lower end portion of the second movable cylindrical part 50. The sealing member 62 is, for example, an O-ring made of rubber or soft resin. Between the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical part 49 and the outer surface of the second movable cylindrical part 50, the sealing member 62 is compressed and deformed by the biasing force of the biasing member 47, thereby sealing the space between the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical part 49 and the inner surface of the second movable cylindrical part 50. As a result, as described later, the supply of beverage from the beverage container 42 is stopped while there is no user operation. On the other hand, as described later, when the first movable cylindrical part 48 moves upward by the user's operation, the second movable cylindrical part 50 also moves upward inside the fixed cylindrical part 49 at the same time, so that the sealing member 62 separates from the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical part 49. As a result, the beverage is supplied to the outside from the beverage container 42 through the space between the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical part 49 and the outer surface of the second movable cylindrical part 50.

A biasing member 47, e.g., a coil spring, is disposed between the housing portion 46 and the first movable cylindrical portion 48. The upper end portion of the biasing member 47 abuts against a wall-like portion formed inside the housing portion 46, and the lower end portion of the biasing member 47 abuts against a stepped portion formed inside the first movable cylindrical portion 48. The biasing member 47 biases the first movable cylindrical portion 48 downward. As a result, the sealing member 62 attached to the outer tip of the second movable cylindrical portion 50 that engages with the first movable cylindrical portion 48 is pressed against the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical portion 49.

The lower end portion of the housing portion 46 is provided with a cover portion 51. The cover portion 51 surrounds and protects the first movable cylindrical portion 48.

As described above, the container connection part 44 is a substantially cylindrical member attached to the upper end of the housing part 46. The container connection part 44 is made of a material that is easily elastically deformed, such as rubber or soft resin. The container connection part 44 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and the upper end part of the outer surface has a shape in which the outer diameter becomes shorter toward the top. That is, the upper end outer surface of the container connection part 44 forms an inclined surface 441. The outer diameter L11 at the lower end of the inclined surface 441 is set to be equal to or greater than the maximum outer diameter of the mouth part 43 of the beverage container 42 described later. The outer diameter L10 at the upper end of the inclined surface 441 is set to be equal to or smaller than the minimum outer diameter of the mouth part 43 of the beverage container 42 described later. As a result, even if there is variation in the inner diameter of the mouth part 43 of the beverage container 42 described later, the outer surface of the inclined surface 441 of the container connection part 44 can be reliably fitted into the inner surface of the mouth part 43 of the beverage container 42.

In Japan, beverage containers 42, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, are distributed in two types: one with an inner diameter of the mouth portion 43 of 20 mm, and the other with an inner diameter of the mouth portion 43 of 21 mm. Therefore, in this embodiment, as an example, the maximum outer diameter L11 of the inclined surface 441 is set to 21 mm or more, and the minimum outer diameter L10 of the inclined surface 441 is set to 20 mm or less. By setting the outer diameter of the inclined surface 441 in this range, the beverage container 42 of the container connection module 40 can be inserted without any gaps into the mouth portion 43 of the beverage container 42, which has a different opening diameter, and the beverage can be prevented from leaking out from between the mouth portion 43 of the container connection module 40 and the container connection portion 44 of the container connection module 40.

A tube section 56 is built into the upper part of the housing section 46. The lower end of the tube section 56 is connected to an opening 55 (FIG. 4(A)) formed in the housing section 46, and the upper end of the housing section 46 is led out from the opening of the container connection section 44. A check valve 57 is connected to the upper end of the tube section 56. The check valve 57 is a valve body that allows air introduced from the tube section 56 to flow to the beverage container 42 side, but does not allow the beverage to flow to the tube section 56 side.

Figure 5 shows the container connection module 40, where Figure 5(A) is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate stage of connecting a beverage container 42 to the container connection module 40, and Figure 5(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the container connection module 40 and the beverage container 42 are connected.

Referring to FIG. 5(A), a drinking spout portion 43 and a flange portion 421 are formed at the end of the beverage container 42. When attaching the container connection module 40 to the beverage container 42, first, the pivot engagement portion 52 of the container connection module 40 is pivoted radially outward to open it.

In this state, the mouth portion 43 of the beverage container 42 is inserted into the container connection portion 44 of the container connection module 40. As described above, the minimum outer diameter of the inclined surface 441 of the container connection portion 44 is set smaller than the inner diameter of the mouth portion 43. Also, the maximum outer diameter of the inclined surface 441 is set larger than the inner diameter of the mouth portion 43. Therefore, when the container connection portion 44 made of a soft material is inserted into the mouth portion 43, the outer surface of the container connection portion 44 adheres closely to the inner surface of the mouth portion 43, so that the beverage inside the beverage container 42 does not leak out from the contact portion between the mouth portion 43 and the container connection portion 44.

Referring to FIG. 5(B), next, the pivoting engagement portion 52 is closed radially inward. This causes the flange portion 421 of the beverage container 42 to engage with the engagement opening 521 of the pivoting engagement portion 52, preventing the container connection module 40 from detaching from the beverage container 42.

Figure 6 is an oblique view showing the state in which a beverage container 42 connected to a container connection module 40 is being installed into the insulated door 21 of a refrigerator 10, with Figure 6(A) being an oblique view showing the installation in progress and Figure 6(B) being an oblique view showing the installed state.

Referring to FIG. 6(A), the inner surface of the insulated door 21 is recessed toward the front to form the storage area 53. The storage area 53 is provided with a guard portion 60. The guard portion 60 is a substantially plate-shaped member, and the left and right ends are attached to the inner surface of the insulated door 21 in a state in which they can slide up and down. The storage area 53 has a capacity that can store two beverage containers 42, for example, 2-liter PET bottles. The beverage containers 42 are stored in the storage area 53 with the container connection module 40 attached to their lower ends. When storing the beverage containers 42 in the storage area 53, the guard portion 60 is slid downward in the storage area 53. This allows the guard portion 60 to not impede the task of storing the beverage containers 42 in the storage area 53.

Here, if the guard portion 60 is lowered to insert the beverage container 42, the storage operation of the insulated door 24 becomes easier. Furthermore, by lifting the guard portion 60, the beverage container 42 can be stabilized when opening and closing the insulated door 21. As shown in FIG. 6(B), by lifting the guard portion 60 upward, a latch is engaged and the beverage container 42 is pressed slightly forward. Furthermore, when the guard portion 60 is raised or lowered, the guard portion 60 operates slightly away from the beverage container 42.

Referring to FIG. 6(B), the guard portion 60 is moved upward. This causes the lower portion of the beverage container 42 to be supported by the guard portion 60, allowing the beverage container 42 to be stably stored in the storage area 53.

Figure 7 is an oblique view showing the situation in which a beverage container 42 connected to a container connection module 40 is installed in the insulated door 21 of a refrigerator 10, where Figure 7 (A) is a cross-sectional view of the insulated door 21 and Figure 7 (B) is an oblique view of the insulated door 21 as viewed from the outside.

Referring to FIG. 7(A), when the beverage container 42 is stored upside down in the storage area 53, the lower end of the container connection part 44 attached to the beverage container 42 is exposed at the rear of the upper end of the beverage supply part 54. In addition, a hook-shaped supply lever 41 is installed at the rear of the beverage supply part 54 in a rotatable state.

Referring to FIG. 7(B), the beverage supply section 54 is a cavity formed by recessing the lower portion of the front surface of the insulating door 21 toward the rear. The beverage supply section 54 has a volume that can store, for example, two cups 61 supplied from the beverage container 42.

Figure 8 shows the relative configuration between the container connection module 40 and the supply lever 41, where Figure 8(A) is an oblique view showing the container connection module 40 and the supply lever 41, and Figure 8(B) is an oblique view showing the supply lever 41.

Referring to FIG. 8(A), a supply lever 41 is disposed at the lower end of the container connection module 40. The upper end of the supply lever 41 is in contact with the lower end of the container connection module 40. In more detail, the lower end of the first movable cylindrical portion 48 is pressed against a protrusion 414 of the supply lever 41, which will be described later, by the biasing force of the biasing member 47 shown in FIG. 4(B).

Referring to FIG. 4(B), the supply lever 41 is a generally hook-shaped member and has an abutment portion 411 that extends in the vertical direction and abuts against the cup 61 described above, a contact portion 413 that extends in the front-rear direction and contacts the container connection module 40, a corner portion 412 that is the connection portion between the contact portion 413 and the abutment portion 411, and an engagement hole 415 that opens the front end of the contact portion 413. In addition, a protrusion portion 414 is formed by partially raising the rear end of the upper surface of the contact portion 413 upward. The supply lever 41 is rotatably connected to the main body side of the refrigerator 10 via the engagement hole 415.

By adopting such a configuration, when a user pushes the front surface of the abutment portion 411 of the supply lever 41 rearward with the rear end portion of the cup 61 (not shown), the supply lever 41 rotates around the engagement hole 415 as a fulcrum, and the protrusion portion 414 is pushed up. As a result, as described below, the upper end portion of the contact portion 413 pushes up the first movable cylindrical portion 48 and the second movable cylindrical portion 50 of the container connection module 40, allowing beverage to be supplied from the beverage container 42 to the cup 61.

Figure 9 shows the container connection module 40, where Figure 9(A) is a cross-sectional view showing the container connection module 40 in a blocked state that blocks the outflow of drinking water, and Figure 9(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the container connection module 40 in an open state that allows the outflow of drinking water.

Referring to FIG. 9(A), in the container connection module 40 in the shutoff state, the first movable cylindrical portion 48 and the fixed cylindrical portion 49 are not pushed up from below, so the sealing member 62 seals between the outer surface of the second movable cylindrical portion 50 and the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical portion 49. This prevents the beverage stored in the beverage container 42 from flowing out of the container connection module 40.

Referring to FIG. 9(B), in the open state of the container connection module 40, the lower end of the first movable cylindrical part 48 is pushed up by the protrusion 414 of the supply lever 41 shown in FIG. 8(B). As a result, the second movable cylindrical part 50 is also pushed up inside the fixed cylindrical part 49. Therefore, the sealing member 62 fitted into the tip of the second movable cylindrical part 50 is separated from the inner surface of the fixed cylindrical part 49. As a result, the beverage stored in the beverage container 42 is supplied to the cup 61 through the container connection module 40 between the second movable cylindrical part 50 and the fixed cylindrical part 49. After that, when the beverage is sufficiently supplied to the cup 61 and the user separates the cup 61 from the abutment part 411 shown in FIG. 8(B), the container connection module 40 returns to the shutoff state shown in FIG. 9(A), and the supply of drinking water is stopped.

The configuration of the storage area 53 of the insulated door 21 in which the beverage container 42 is installed will be further described with reference to Figure 10. Here, a movable lid 64 that appropriately covers the opening 63 is disposed in the storage area 53. Figure 10(A) shows the movable lid 64 in an open state, and Figure 10(B) shows the movable lid 64 in a closed state.

Referring to FIG. 10(A), an opening 63 is formed on the bottom surface of the storage area 53 for inserting the drinking spout 43 of the beverage container 42 and the container connection module 40. Here, two beverage containers 42 are stored in the storage area 53, so two openings 63 are formed. Since the openings 63 connect the refrigerator compartment 15 to the outside, if the openings 63 are left as they are when no beverage container 42 is placed in the storage area 53, the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 15 may escape to the outside through the openings 63, which may reduce the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator compartment 15. Therefore, in this embodiment, a movable lid 64 is placed in the storage area 53.

The movable lid 64 is a plate-like member having a generally rectangular shape, and both ends of the lower side are rotatably attached to the front end side of the bottom of the storage area 53. Here, the movable lid 64 is stored in an upright state on the rear side of the storage area 53.

Referring to FIG. 10(B), when no beverage container 42 is stored in the storage area 53, the movable lid 64 can be rotated and tilted down to close the opening 63. This prevents cold air from leaking to the outside through the opening 63. Furthermore, food and other stored items can be placed on the top surface of the movable lid 64 for storage.

The main advantages of this embodiment are described below.

According to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the outer surface of the container connection part 44 comes into contact with the inner wall of the spout part 43 of the beverage container 42, thereby sealing the gap between the container connection part 44, the spout part 43, and the container connection part 44, and preventing the beverage from leaking out between them, even if the inner diameter of the spout part 43 differs depending on the type of container connection part 44.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the second movable cylindrical portion 50 moves depending on whether or not the user is operating the device, so that the supply of beverage is stopped when the user is not operating the device, but the supply of beverage is possible while the user is operating the device.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the first movable cylindrical portion 48 is surrounded by a cover portion 51, which prevents the user from accidentally touching the first movable cylindrical portion 48 and prevents the beverage from accidentally spilling.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the pivot engagement portion 52 engages with the beverage container 42, allowing the container connection portion 44 to be firmly attached to the drinking spout portion 43 of the beverage container 42.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, a check valve 57 that communicates with the outside can be disposed inside the beverage container 42, allowing for smooth supply of beverage from the beverage container 42.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the beverage stored in the beverage container 42 can be cooled in the refrigerator compartment 15, and the cooled beverage can be provided to the user with a simple configuration.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other.

The invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiment is described below together with its effects.

The present invention is a container connection module that is attached to the mouth of a beverage container, and includes a container connection part that is inserted into and connected to the mouth of the beverage container, and an outflow adjustment part that stops and allows the supply of beverage from the beverage container, and the container connection part is formed so that its outer diameter decreases toward the beverage container, and the gap between the container connection part and the mouth is sealed by contacting the inner wall of the mouth of the beverage container with the outer side of the container connection part. According to the present invention, by contacting the side of the container connection part with the inner wall of the mouth of the beverage container, the gap between the mouth part and the container connection part is sealed, and beverage leakage from between the two can be prevented, even if the inner diameter of the mouth part differs depending on the type of container connection part.

In addition, in the present invention, the outflow adjustment part has a substantially cylindrical housing part, a first movable tubular part arranged inside the housing part, biased by a biasing member, and arranged to be movable along the axial direction of the housing part, a fixed tubular part formed integrally inside the housing part and one end of which is inserted into the first movable tubular part, and a second movable tubular part arranged inside the fixed tubular part and arranged to be movable along the axial direction together with the first movable tubular part. In addition, while an external force against the biasing member is not acting on the first movable tubular part, the biasing force of the biasing member seals the space between the fixed tubular part and the second movable tubular part, stopping the supply of the beverage from the beverage container, and while an external force against the biasing member is acting on the first movable tubular part, a gap is formed between the fixed tubular part and the second movable tubular part, allowing the supply of the beverage from the beverage container. According to the present invention, the second movable cylindrical part moves depending on whether or not the user is operating the device, preventing the beverage from flowing out while the user is not operating the device, while dispensing the beverage while the user is operating the device.

The present invention is also characterized in that the outflow adjustment section has a cover section that surrounds the first movable cylindrical section. According to the present invention, by surrounding the first movable cylindrical section with the cover section, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally touching the first movable cylindrical section and to prevent the beverage from accidentally spilling out.

The present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a rotational engagement part that is rotatably attached to the housing part and engages with the beverage container. According to the present invention, the rotational engagement part engages with the beverage container, so that the container connection part can be firmly attached to the drinking spout part of the beverage container.

The present invention is also characterized by further comprising an opening formed by opening a part of the housing portion, a cylindrical tube portion built into the housing portion, one end of which is connected to the opening and the other end of which extends from the container connection portion to the outside, and a check valve connected to the other end of the tube portion. According to the present invention, a check valve that communicates with the outside can be disposed inside the beverage container, allowing for smooth supply of beverage from the beverage container.

The present invention is characterized by comprising a door having a container connection module and closing a storage chamber, a storage area formed on the inner side of the door facing the storage chamber and in which the beverage container is stored with the container connection module facing downward, a beverage supply section formed on the outer side facing the outside and in which an end of the container connection module is disposed, and a supply lever having one end abutting the container connection module and the other end disposed in the beverage supply section. According to the present invention, a user can supply a beverage to a cup via the container connection module by pushing the supply lever toward the rear with a container such as a cup.

The present invention is characterized by comprising an opening formed on the underside of the storage area into which the container connection module is inserted, and a movable lid rotatably disposed near the storage area to close the opening. According to the present invention, when no beverage container is stored in the storage area, the opening can be closed with the movable lid, thereby preventing cold air from the refrigerator compartment from escaping to the outside through the opening.

10 refrigerator 11 insulated box 12 outer box 13 inner box 14 insulation material 15 refrigerator compartment 16 blower 17 freezer compartment 18 upper freezer compartment 19 lower freezer compartment 20 vegetable compartment 21 insulated door 22 cooler 23 insulated door 24 insulated door 25 insulated door 26 cooling compartment 27 compressor 40 container connection module 41 supply lever 411 abutment portion 412 corner portion 413 contact portion 414 protrusion portion 415 engagement hole 42 beverage container 421 flange portion 43 drinking spout portion 44 container connection portion 441 inclined surface 45 outflow adjustment portion 46 housing portion 47 urging member 48 first movable cylindrical portion 49 fixed cylindrical portion 50 second movable cylindrical portion 51 cover portion 52 rotation engagement portion 521 engagement opening portion 53 storage area 54 beverage supply portion 55 opening portion 56 tube portion 57 Check valve 58 Engagement protrusion 59 Engagement opening 60 Guard portion 61 Cup 62 Sealing member 63 Opening 64 Movable lid

Claims (4)

A container connection module to be attached to a beverage container in which a beverage is to be placed,
The device includes a housing portion, a container connection portion, a tube portion, and a check valve.
The housing portion is a member having a generally cylindrical shape, and an opening portion is formed by partially opening the housing portion,
The container connection portion is attached to an end side of the housing portion and is configured to be inserted into and connected to the drinking spout portion of the beverage container,
The pipe portion is configured to connect the check valve and the opening,
A container connection module characterized in that the check valve is configured to allow air introduced from the pipe portion to flow toward the beverage container while preventing beverage from flowing toward the pipe portion, and is arranged outside the end of the container connection portion in the axial direction of the housing portion. The container connection module according to claim 1, characterized in that the container connection part is configured to be inserted into and connected to the drinking spout part of the beverage container. The container connection module according to claim 1, characterized in that the container connection part is a substantially cylindrical member that protrudes outward from an end of the housing part in the axial direction of the housing part. 2. The container connection module according to claim 1, wherein the container connection portion has an outer diameter that tapers away from the housing portion.

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