WO2008143425A1

WO2008143425A1 - Apparatus for automatically providing pet with food

Info

Publication number: WO2008143425A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002720
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong-Pyo Hong
Original assignee: Jong-Pyo Hong
Priority date: 2007-05-18
Filing date: 2008-05-15
Publication date: 2008-11-27
Also published as: KR100822743B1

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus for automatically providing a pet with food. The apparatus includes: a case (10); a feed storage unit (20) which is installed in an upper portion of the case (10) and in which feed is stored; a feed supply unit (30) which is installed at a lower portion of the case (10) and to which feed is provided from the feed storage unit (20); an entanglement preventing unit (40) which is installed in the feed storage unit (20) and prevents feed provided to the feed supply unit (30) from being entangled; an automatic opening and closing unit (50) which selectively opens and closes a portion between the feed storage unit (20) and the feed supply unit (30); a water supply pipe (60) which is installed at a lower portion of the case (10); a solenoid valve (70) which is installed in the case (10) and selectively opens and closes a hose connected to an external water pipe and the water supply pipe (60); and a controller (80) controlling the automatic opening and closing unit (50) and the solenoid valve (70).

Description

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PROVIDING PET WITH

FOOD

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically providing a pet with food, and more particularly, to an apparatus for automatically providing a pet with food whereby feed and water are regularly provided to the pet even when a pet owner leaves a house empty for a long term. Background Art

[2] Recently, a demand for various pets, such as dog or cat, increases due to an improvement in the standard of living. This is because pets are conducive to adult's sentiment cultivation and to drown loneliness of people caused by a reduction in the number of families.

[3] However, when pet owners go out, feed cannot be provided to pets. In particular, as a

5 days per week work system is being in force, the opportunity for travel using weekend increases, and due to summer vacations, pet owners leave a house empty for a long term. In this case, the fixed amount of feed cannot be provided to pets that are left in a house, on time. As such, pets are entrusted to an animal hospital or an entrustment house. In this case, considerable costs are needed, and the tastes and the living habits of pets are different from one another. Thus, when feed is provided to pets on the same condition as other pets, pets do not adapt well.

[4] When pet owners go out after putting food and water for pets in a vessel, most pets do not have a food self-restraint ability and eat much food and water at one time. Thus, even when a considerable amount of food and water is provided, pets suffer from hunger or overeat itself sick. When a considerable amount of food and water is put in the vessel, pets may upset the vessel and contaminate a house. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[5] The present invention provides an apparatus for automatically providing a pet with food whereby fresh feed and water are regularly provided to the pet even when a pet owner leaves a house empty for a long term. Technical Solution

[6] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for automatically providing a pet with food, the apparatus including: a case 10; a feed storage unit 20 which is installed in an upper portion of the case 10 and in which feed is stored; a feed supply unit 30 which is installed at a lower portion of the case 10 and to which feed is provided from the feed storage unit 20; an entanglement preventing unit 40 which is installed in the feed storage unit 20 and prevents feed provided to the feed supply unit 30 from being entangled; an automatic opening and closing unit 50 which selectively opens and closes a portion between the feed storage unit 20 and the feed supply unit 30; a water supply pipe 60 which is installed at a lower portion of the case 10; a solenoid valve 70 which is installed in the case 10 and selectively opens and closes a hose connected to an external water pipe and the water supply pipe 60; and a controller 80 controlling the automatic opening and closing unit 50 and the solenoid valve 70.

[7] The apparatus may further include a magnet 13 installed on the table 12 of the case

10 so as to fix the position of the feed vessel Bl or the water vessel B2.

[8] The apparatus may further include a winding reel 14 installed in the case 10 and having a hose 14a through which water is supplied and a gun type valve 14b installed at an end of the hose 14a.

[9] The apparatus may further include a dry heater 22 installed in the feed storage unit 20 so as to maintain stored feed in a dried state.

[10] The apparatus may further include a feed filling sensor 23 installed in the feed storage unit 20 so as to generate a signal instructing to fill feed when the amount of stored feed is less than a predetermined amount.

[11] The apparatus may further include a hot wind dryer 24 installed in the feed storage unit 20 so as to dry stored feed using hot wind.

[12] The feed supply unit 30 may include: a main supply pipe 31 connected to the feed storage unit 20; a divergence duct 32 installed in the main supply pipe 31 and including two divergence terminals 32a and 23b; and first and second feed supply pipes 33a and 33b respectively connected to the divergence terminals 32a and 32b.

[13] The entanglement preventing unit 40 may include: a motor 41 supported in the feed storage unit 20; a cam plate 42 installed on a rotary shaft of the motor 41 ; and a rod 43 installed to be deflected with respect to the cam plate 42.

[14] The entanglement preventing unit 40 may include: a pump 44 generating air; a coil pipe 45 connected to the pump 44 and having an end facing the main supply pipe 31 of the feed supply unit 30; and a coil pipe solenoid valve 46 selectively intercepting the end of the coil pipe 45.

[15] The automatic opening and closing unit 50 may include: a bracket 51 installed in the main supply pipe 31 of the feed supply unit 30 and having an opening and closing hole 52 corresponding to the hole of the main supply pipe 31; a door 53 opening and closing the opening and closing hole 52; and a door transfer portion 54 reciprocatingly transferring the door 53 such that the door 53 opens and closes the opening and closing hole 52. [16] The apparatus may further include a water purification filter 61 installed at the water supply pipe 60 so as to purify water controlled by the solenoid valve 70.

[17] The apparatus may further include a hot- water heater 62 installed in the water supply pipe 60 so as to heat water supplied to the water supply pipe 60.

[18] The apparatus may further include a temperature sensor 63 generating an operation signal instructing to operate the hot- water heater 62 when the temperature of water supplied to the water supply pipe 60 is lower than a predetermined temperature.

[19] The apparatus may further include a water level controller installed so as not to fill water supplied to the water supply pipe 60 in the water vessel B2 to more than a predetermined amount. Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for automatically providing a pet with food according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[21] FIG. 2 illustrates the internal configuration of the apparatus for automatically providing a pet with food illustrated in FIG. 1.

[22] FIG. 3 illustrates a divergence duct of FIG. 2.

[23] FIG. 4 illustrates the state where first and second divergence ducts and a feed supply pipe are connected to the divergence duct of FIG. 3.

[24] FIG. 5 is an extracted view of an entanglement preventing unit of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[25] FIG. 6 is an extracted view of an entanglement preventing unit of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[26] FIG. 7 is an extracted view of an automatic opening and closing unit of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[27] FIG. 8 illustrates the automatic opening and closing unit of FIG. 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[28] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for automatically providing a pet with f ood according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 illustrates the internal configuration of the apparatus for automatically providing a pet with food illustrated in FIG. 1. In addition, FIG. 3 illustrates a divergence duct of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 illustrates the state where first and second divergence ducts and a feed supply pipe are connected to the divergence duct of FIG. 3. In addition, FIG. 5 is an extracted view of an entanglement preventing unit of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an extracted view of an entanglement preventing unit of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an extracted view of an automatic opening and closing unit of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 illustrates the automatic opening and closing unit of FIG. 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[29] Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus for automatically providing a pet with food according to the present embodiment of the present invention comprises: a case 10; a feed storage unit 20 which is installed in an upper portion of the case 10 and in which feed is stored; a feed supply unit 30 which is installed at a lower portion of the case 10 and to which feed is provided from the feed storage unit 20; an entanglement preventing unit 40 which is installed in the feed storage unit 20 and prevents feed provided to the feed supply unit 30 from being entangled; an automatic opening and closing unit 50 which selectively opens and closes a portion between the feed storage unit 20 and the feed supply unit 30; a water supply pipe 60 which is installed at a lower portion of the case 10; a solenoid valve 70 which is installed in the case 10 and selectively opens and closes a hose connected to an external water pipe and the water supply pipe 60; and a controller 80 controlling the automatic opening and closing unit 50 and the solenoid valve 70.

[30] A fixing bracket is formed in the case 10 so as to fix the case 10 on a wall, or a support bridge supporting a lower portion of the case 10 or a caster 11 for moving is installed in the case 10. The case 10 may be formed in various forms and in the form of a postbox or a house etc. according to an environment or interior. In the present embodiment, the case 10 forms a rectangular parallelepiped shape entirely.

[31] A table 12 in which a feed vessel Bl containing feed provided to the feed supply unit

30 or a water vessel B2 containing water supplied by the water supply pipe 60 is disposed, is installed at a lower portion of the case 10.

[32] A magnet 13 is installed on the table 12 of the case 10 so as to fix the position of the feed vessel Bl or the water vessel B2. The magnet 13 is installed such that the feed vessel B 1 or the water vessel B2 is prevented from being entangled due to play of a pet.

[33] A winding reel 14 having a hose 14a through which water is supplied, so as to clean t he circumference, and a gun type valve 14b installed at an end of the hose 14a is installed in a predetermined portion of the case 10. In other words, in the winding reel 14, one end of the hose 14a is connected to the external water pipe, and the other end of the hose 14a is connected to the gun type valve 14b, and then, the hose 14a is kept in a wound shape. A user uses the winding reel 14 by pulling the gun type valve 14b. The hose 14a may be connected to a connector 14c installed in the case 10. A first hose Hl connected to the water pipe is engaged with or separated from the connector 14c.

[34] The winding reel 14 is employed such that the circumference of the apparatus for automatically providing a pet with food is cleaned with water and a clean state is always maintained. The apparatus for automatically providing a pet with food employing the winding reel 14 is usually installed outside. Thus, residual feed or excrement of a pet can be easily treated.

[35] A liquid crystal display (LCD) frame 15 is installed at the case 10. A universal serial bus (USB) port (not shown) is installed in the LCD frame 15, and a user transmits a digital photo photographed together with the pet to the LCD frame 15 through a portable memory device.

[36] A fishing port 16 is installed in the case 10. The fishing port 16 is wall-mounted fishing port and is conducive to children sentiment cultivation.

[37] A cover 21 is installed in the feed storage unit 20. The feed storage unit 20 may be integrally connected to the case 10 or may be separately manufactured and may be accommodated in the case 10.

[38] A dry heater 22 is installed in the feed storage unit 20 so as to maintain stored feed in a dried state. The dry heater 22 is employed such that, even when rainy spell or humid weather continues, feed can be maintained in the dried state and thus, feed is prevented from being solidified due to humidity and is easily provided by the feed storage unit 30 and the automatic opening and closing unit 50, which will be described later.

[39] A feed filling sensor 23 is installed in the feed storage unit 20 so as to generate a signal instructing to fill feed when the amount of stored feed is less than a predetermined amount. The feed filling sensor 23 may be a pressure sensor, which is installed on the bottom of the feed storage unit 20 and senses the weight of feed or may be a sensor for detecting the amount of feed.

[40] A hot wind dryer 24 may be installed in the feed storage unit 20 so as to dry stored feed using hot wind. The hot wind dryer 24 includes a heater and a blowing fan. Hot wind generated by the hot wind dryer 24 flows in a fine space between feed and more effectively dries feed.

[41] Feed stored in the feed storage unit 20 is provided to the feed supply unit 30, and the feed supply unit 30 faces the lower side of the case 10. The feed supply unit 30 includes: a main supply pipe 31 connected to the feed storage unit 20; a divergence duct 32 installed in the main supply pipe 31 and including two divergence terminals 32a and 23b; and first and second feed supply pipes 33a and 33b respectively connected to the divergence terminals 32a and 32b. In this case, feed can be independently provided to two pets.

[42] In this case, a divergence protrusion 33c is installed in the divergence duct 32 such that feed is uniformly distributed to the two divergence terminals 32a and 32b.

[43] However, in the present invention, feed can also be provided to four pets and eight pets as well as two pets.

[44] To this end, additional, first and second subsupply pipes 34 and 35 are installed at the divergence terminals 32a and 32b, respectively, and first and second divergence ducts 36 and 37 are connected to the first and second subsupply pipes 34 and 35, respectively. Then, two feed supply pipes 38a and 38b are connected to the first divergence duct 36, and two feed supply pipes 39a and 39b are connected to the second divergence duct 37. In this case, four feed supply pipes 38a, 38b, 39a, and 39b may be obtained such that feed can be provided to four pets. In the manner, the number of divergence ducts and supply pipes can be increased and feed can also be provided to eight or more pets.

[45] The entanglement preventing unit 40 prevents feed stored in the feed storage unit 20 from being entangled by humidity or by the pressure of feed. The entanglement preventing unit 40 includes: a motor 41 supported in the feed storage unit 20; a cam plate 42 installed on the rotary shaft of the motor 41; and a rod 43 installed to be deflected with respect to the cam plate 42. In this case, the rod 43 is placed on the main supply pipe 31, and as the rod 43 is rotated to be deflected with respect to the cam plate 42, feed that flows in the main supply pipe 31 is not entangled.

[46] The entanglement preventing unit 40 may prevent entanglement of feed by spraying high-pressure air to the main supply pipe 31. To this end, the entanglement preventing unit 40 further includes: a pump 44 generating air; a coil pipe 45 connected to the pump 44 and having an end facing the main supply pipe 31 of the feed supply unit 30; and a coil pipe solenoid valve 46 selectively intercepting the end of the coil pipe 45. The end of the coil pipe 45 faces the upper portion of the main supply pipe 31 that will be described later, in the feed storage unit 20. Through the above configuration, when the coil pipe solenoid valve 46 activates the pump 44 while temporarily closing the coil pipe 45, air is filled in the coil pipe 45 and the coil pipe 45 is in a high pressure state. After a predetermined amount of time elapses and when the coil pipe solenoid valve 46 opens the coil pipe 45, high-pressure air filled in the coil pipe 45 is spouted and air pressure is applied to feed such that feed can be prevented from being entangled.

[47] The automatic opening and closing unit 50 may be manufactured in various forms. In the present embodiment, the automatic opening and closing unit 50 includes: a bracket 51 installed in the main supply pipe 31 of the feed supply unit 30 and having an opening and closing hole 52 corresponding to the hole of the main supply pipe 31 ; a door 53 opening and closing the opening and closing hole 52; and a door transfer portion 54 reciprocatingly transferring the door 53 such that the door 53 opens and closes the opening and closing hole 52. In this case, the door transfer portion 54 includes: a rack gear 54a connected to the door 53; a deceleration motor 54 installed at the bracket 51 ; a pinion gear 54c installed on the rotary shaft of the deceleration motor 54b and engaged with the rack gear 54a; first and second protrusions 54d and 54e installed at both sides of the rack gear 54a; and first and second limit switches 54f and 54g operating by the first and second protrusions 54d and 54e and pressed by one of the first protrusion 54d or the second protrusion 54e by position movement of the rack gear 54a. Through the above configuration, the pinion gear 54c reciprocatingly transfers the rack gear 54a due to rotation of the deceleration motor 54b, and the door 53 connected to the rack gear 54a opens and closes the opening and closing hole 52.

[48] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the automatic opening and closing unit 50 includes: an opening and closing motor (not shown) installed at the main supply pipe 31 ; an opening and closing wing 55 opening and closing the main supply pipe 31 while being rotated by the opening and closing motor about a rotary shaft inside the main supply pipe 31; a rod protrusion 56 installed at a side of a wing shaft 55a projecting toward the side of the main supply pipe 31; and first and second limit switches 57 and 58 connected to the controller 80 in the range where the rod protrusion 56 is rotated. In this case, when the wing shaft 55a is rotated, the rod protrusion 56 is also rotated such that the first limit switch 57 or the second limit switch 58 operates, and the controller 80 controls the rotation range of the opening and closing wing 55 due to the operation state of the first limit switch 57 or the second limit switch 58. In other words, the controller 80 may control the opening and closing motor according to the operation state of the first and second limit switches 57 and 58 whereby the opening and closing wing 55 opens or closes the main supply pipe 31. The first and second limit switches 57 and 58 are very cheap. Thus, when the first and second limit switches 57 and 58 are employed and the opening and closing motor having only rotation function is employed, the entire price of the apparatus for automatically providing a pet with food can be reduced.

[49] The water supply pipe 60 supplies drinking water to pets, and its end faces the water vessel B2 of the table 14.

[50] A water purification filter 61 is installed at the water supply pipe 60 so as to purify water controlled by the solenoid valve 70. The water purification filter 61 purifies tap water via the water supply pipe 60. Carbon into which a foreign substance included in tap water is absorbed may be contained in the water purification filter 61.

[51] A hot- water heater 62 may be installed in the water supply pipe 60 so as to heat water supplied to the water supply pipe 60. In this case, hot water can be supplied to pets even in cold weather.

[52] In this case, a temperature sensor 63 generating an operation signal instructing to operate the hot- water heater 62 when the temperature of water supplied to the water supply pipe 60 is lower than a predetermined temperature, is installed. The temperature sensor 63 generates a corresponding operation signal according to the temperature of water and transmits the operation signal to the controller 80. As such, the controller 80 automatically operates the hot- water heater 62. For example, when the temperature of water is set to 30 degrees, if the temperature of water is reduced to be less than 30 degrees in Winter or Spring, the temperature sensor 63 detects a reduction in temperature, transmits an operation signal to the controller 80 such that the controller 80 automatically operates the hot- water heater 62.

[53] In the present embodiment, a hot- water heater is used to heat water supplied to the water supply pipe 60. However, a hot water tube used in a conventional water, instead of the hot-water heater purifier may be used.

[54] A water level controller may be installed so as not to fill water supplied to the water supply pipe 60 in the water vessel B 2 attached to the magnet 13 installed at the table 12 to more than a predetermined amount. The water level controller may be implemented in various forms. For example, when the water vessel B2 attached to the magnet 13 and the water supply pipe 60 are electrically connected to each other, the controller 80 may control the solenoid valve 70. In other words, when water is filled in the water vessel B2, water contacts the water supply pipe 60 and the magnet 13 and the water supply pipe 60 are electrically connected to each other. The controller 80 recognizes this, controls the solenoid valve 70, and prevents water from being overflowed from the water vessel B2.

[55] The solenoid valve 70 is connected to a hose H through which water inflowed through the water pipe flows, and automatically opens and closes an internal pipe 60a connected to the water purification filter 61. Opening and closing of the solenoid valve 70 is controlled by the controller 80 or a user operates the solenoid valve 70 manually, thereby opening and closing the internal pipe 60a.

[56] Here, the internal pipe 60a may be connected to the connector 64 installed in the case

10. A second hose H2 connected to the water pipe is engaged with or separated from the connector 64.

[57] The controller 80 automatically operates the entanglement preventing unit 50, the automatic opening and closing unit 50, and the solenoid valve 70. In other words, the controller 80 operates the entanglement preventing unit 40, the automatic opening and closing unit 50, and the solenoid valve 70 at specific time intervals.

[58] For example, the controller 80 transmits a signal to the solenoid valve 70 each three hours and opens the internal pipe 60a. Then, tap water via the second hose H2 passes the solenoid valve 70 and the water purification filter 61 and is supplied to the water vessel B2 put on the bottom through the water supply pipe 60. In this case, the water purification filter 61 may remove a foreign substance included in tap water such that more clean water can be provided to pets.

[59] Here, feed and water are separately provided to pets due to independent configuration and are independently provided to the feed vessel Bl and the water vessel B2. Thus, the danger of decay that may occur when feed and water are mixed and are provided can be prevented. As such, even when a pet owner leaves a house empty for a long term, fresh food (feed and water) can be provided to pets.

[60] In addition, water supplied to the water supply pipe 60 is heated by the hot- water heater 62 such that hot water can be provided to pets.

[61] In addition, since feed stored in the feed storage unit 20 can be maintained in a dried state due to the dry heater 22 or the hot- wind dryer 24. Thus, even when a long time elapses, solidifying of feed due to humidity can be minimized.

[62] In addition, in the feed supply unit 30, the divergence ducts and the feed supply pipe are properly connected such that feed can be independently provided to one to several pets.

[63] In addition, feed can be prevented from being entangled due to the entanglement preventing unit 40 while being exhausted to the main supply pipe 31 such that feed is always uniformly exhausted.

[64] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Industrial Applicability

[65] The apparatus for automatically providing a pet with food according to the present invention includes a feed storage unit which is installed in a case, a feed supply unit installed at a lower portion of the case, an automatic opening and closing unit selectively opening and closing a portion between the feed storage unit and the feed supply unit, a water supply pipe installed at a lower portion of the case, a solenoid valve selectively opening and closing a water supply pipe, and a controller controlling the automatic opening and closing unit and the solenoid valve such that feed and water can be regularly provided to pets. In other words, since feed and water are independently provided, even when a pet owner leaves a house for a long term, fresh feed and water can be provided to pets.

Claims

[1] An apparatus for automatically providing a pet with foodcomprising: a case 10; a feed storage unit 20 which is installed in an upper portion of the case 10 and in which feed is stored; a feed supply unit 30 which is installed at a lower portion of the case 10 and to which feed is provided from the feed storage unit 20; an entanglement preventing unit 40 which is installed in the feed storage unit 20 and prevents feed provided to the feed supply unit 30 from being entangled; an automatic opening and closing unit 50 which selectively opens and closes a portion between the feed storage unit 20 and the feed supply unit 30; a water supply pipe 60 which is installed at a lower portion of the case 10; a solenoid valve 70 which is installed in the case 10 and selectively opens and closes a hose connected to an external water pipe and the water supply pipe 60; and a controller 80 controlling the automatic opening and closing unit 50 and the solenoid valve 70. [2] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnet 13 installed on the table

12 of the case 10 so as to fix the position of the feed vessel Bl or the water vessel B2. [3] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a winding reel 14 installed in the case 10 and having a hose 14a through which water is supplied and a gun type valve 14b installed at an end of the hose 14a. [4] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a dry heater 22 installed in the feed storage unit 20 so as to maintain stored feed in a dried state. [5] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a feed filling sensor 23 installed in the feed storage unit 20 so as to generate a signal instructing to fill feed when the amount of stored feed is less than a predetermined amount. [6] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hot wind dryer 24 installed in the feed storage unit 20 so as to dry stored feed using hot wind. [7] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the feed supply unit 30 comprises: a main supply pipe 31 connected to the feed storage unit 20; a divergence duct 32 installed in the main supply pipe 31 and including two divergence terminals 32a and 23b; and first and second feed supply pipes 33a and 33b respectively connected to the divergence terminals 32a and 32b. [8] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the entanglement preventing unit 40 comprises: a motor 41 supported in the feed storage unit 20; a cam plate 42 installed on a rotary shaft of the motor 41 ; and a rod 43 installed to be deflected with respect to the cam plate 42. [9] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the entanglement preventing unit 40 further comprises: a pump 44 generating air; a coil pipe 45 connected to the pump 44 and having an end facing the main supply pipe 31 of the feed supply unit 30; and a coil pipe solenoid valve 46 selectively intercepting the end of the coil pipe 45. [10] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the automatic opening and closing unit 50 comprises: a bracket 51 installed in the main supply pipe 31 of the feed supply unit 30 and having an opening and closing hole 52 corresponding to the hole of the main supply pipe 31 ; a door 53 opening and closing the opening and closing hole 52; and a door transfer portion 54 reciprocatingly transferring the door 53 such that the door 53 opens and closes the opening and closing hole 52. [11] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a water purification filter 61 installed at the water supply pipe 60 so as to purify water controlled by the solenoid valve 70. [12] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hot- water heater 62 installed in the water supply pipe 60 so as to heat water supplied to the water supply pipe 60. [13] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor 63 generating an operation signal instructing to operate the hot- water heater 62 when the temperature of water supplied to the water supply pipe 60 is lower than a predetermined temperature. [14] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a water level controller installed so as not to fill water supplied to the water supply pipe 60 in the water vessel B 2 to more than a predetermined amount.