WO2014009984A1

WO2014009984A1 - Device for collecting water and for adjusting the output water flow

Info

Publication number: WO2014009984A1
Application number: PCT/IT2013/000188
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gian Pietro Beghelli
Original assignee: Beghelli S.P.A.
Priority date: 2012-07-09
Filing date: 2013-07-04
Publication date: 2014-01-16
Also published as: ITVI20120164A1

Abstract

A device (10) for collecting water and for adjusting the output water flow, which is positioned within a tank (4) for collecting water of an apparatus (100) for delivering and sterilizing drinking water. The tank (4) is inserted within a seat (20) of the apparatus (100) and there are an inner compartment (4A), a bottom base or base (4B) and, on said bottom base (4B), there is a through hole (6) for the outlet of the water, in correspondence of which a lower housing (5) is located, which is suitable for receiving the device (10). In particular, the abovementioned device (10) comprises a main body (1) within which there is a shaped stem (16) on which a helical spring (17) runs, which is suitable for moving a valve element, which is constituted by a body including a cylinder (18), which has at least one lower projection, and at least one sealing diaphragm (19) which is coupled to the outlet hole (6) of the tank (4).

Description

DEVICE FOR COLLECTING WATER AND FOR ADJUSTING THE OUTPUT

WATER FLOW

The present invention refers generically to a device for collecting water and for adjusting the output water flow and to a water delivery apparatus having said device.

More in particular, the invention relates to a device for collecting water and for adjusting the output water flow, which has the possibility of being inserted within a tank for collecting drinking water, interacting with it in a optimized way in respect with the known art.

There are known water delivery systems for domestic use which can be preferably placed on a worktop of a kitchen. Such systems, when presenting collecting tanks having big dimensions, for example big enough to delivery water to a family comprising 3 or 4 persons, have the drawback of occupying too much space in height, often not corresponding to the height available in a kitchen, or the height available between the plane of the said kitchen and a overhanging wall cupboard.

There are also known drinking water delivery apparatuses, for domestic and professional use, which use flow deviation and adjusting devices integrated within their collecting tank.

Nevertheless, such devices have the drawback of not allowing removing the single components of such device for replacing them or for maintenance.

Further, the abovementioned apparatuses are hard to be clean, since the flow deviation and adjusting devices have small openings, which cannot be reached using normal washing tools present in trade, risking the hygiene level that is necessary for an apparatus for dispensing and/or the filtration of drinking water.

Other water dispensing apparatuses are equipped with a sterilizing filter and also provide a device for regulating the flow integrated with the filter itself, in which case, however, since the sterilizing filter is a consumable and deteriorable item, it must be replaced frequently, resulting in the consequent frequent replacement of the whole device or parts of it.

This also involves a waste of the constituent material of the device, which is not subject to the same usury to which the chemical components of the filter are subject. Moreover, in case of defective device, in this type of apparatuses, it is necessary to replace the entire filter, including the device itself, with the consequent waste of resources.

Finally, the above-mentioned devices are capable of offering a limited number of possible flow rates of water to be dispensed.

Purpose of the present invention is, therefore, to overcome the above- complained drawbacks of the known art and in particular to provide a device for collecting water and for adjusting the output water flow, for domestic-residential use, which allows an optimal cleaning, is able to ensure the necessary level of hygiene in a dispenser and/or a drinking water sterilizer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for collecting water and for adjusting the output water flow, which is replaceable regardless of wear of other components of an apparatus for dispensing and/or filtration of the water to which it is applied.

Further object of the invention is to provide a device for collecting water and for adjusting the output water flow which is easy and economical to be produced.

Again, a purpose of the present invention is to provide a device for collecting water and for adjusting the output water flow that has a limited number of elements.

These and other objects are achieved by a device for collecting water and for adjusting the output water flow, according to the attached claim 1 , and by an apparatus for water delivery, according to the attached claim 10, referred to for the sake of brevity; further features of detail are given in the dependent claims.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description which follows, which refers to a practical example of embodiment, illustrative and preferred, but not limiting, of the device for collecting water and for adjusting the output water flow, subject matter of the invention, and the annexed drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a water collection tank complete with a device for adjustment of its output flow, according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the tank of Figure 1 , according to the invention;

- Figure 3 shows a plan view from below of the tank of Figure 1 , according to the invention;

- Figure 4 shows a top plan view of the tank of Figure 1, according to the invention;

- Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the tank of Figure 1 , connected to a sterilizing tube, according to the invention;

- Figures 6 and 7 show side views of the tank shown in Figure 5, according to the present invention;

- Figure 8 shows a plan view from below of the tank of Figure 5, according to the invention;

- Figure 9 shows a top plan view of the tank of Figure 5, according to the invention;

- Figures 10, 11 and 12 show three cross sections of the tank of Figure 5, according to the present invention;

- Figure 13 shows a partial perspective view of an apparatus for dispensing and filtration of the water within which the tank of Figures 1 and

5 is insertable, according to the present invention;

- Figure 14 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 13, according to the present invention.

With reference to the mentioned figures, the device 10 for adjusting the output water flow comprises essentially a main body 1 , a cap or knob 2 and a rubber sealing ring 3.

The device 10 is applied to a tank 4, having an inner compartment 4A, suitable for housing a filter for drinking water, a bottom base 4B and a lower external housing 5, placed outside the bottom base 4B and, in turn, having a through outlet hole 6 and being suitable for receiving the device 10.

In particular, the main body 1 of the device 10 has a cylindrical base 7, with a first diameter having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the housing 5 of the tank 4, and an upper portion 8, also cylindrical, having a second diameter which is lower than said first diameter.

Within the body 1 there is a shaped stem 16 on which a helical spring runs 17, which is used in order to move a one-way valve, which is constituted by a body including a cylinder 18 which has two lower projections and a sealing diaphragm 19 made of silicone which seals the outlet hole 6 of the tank 4.

The one-way valve works tanks to the use of the silicone diaphragm 19 and to a concentric-cylindrical movement operated by means of the helical spring 17 of stainless steel.

This system allows avoiding the water accidentally coming out from the tank 4, in case the tank 4 is removed from its seat 20, provided at the top and within an apparatus 100 for delivering and filtering and/or sterilizing the water, since the silicone diaphragm 19 blocks the passage of water towards the outlet hole 6 of the tank 4.

Moreover, since there is the steel cylinder 22 of the sterilizing tube 21 , the projections of the cylinder 18 push the body of the abovementioned cylinder 18 in and out from the seat of the cylinder 22, so as to obtain a perfect coupling of the device 10 of the tank 4 with the tube 21 for sterilizing the water coming out from the through hole 6.

In practice, the projections which are on the cylinder 18 are used to allow the cylinder 18 itself moving upwards when there is the sterilizing tube 21, which, in turn, has a cylinder 22, also realized of steel, for the inlet of water, the diameter of the cylinder 22 being appropriate to push appropriately on these protrusions.

Moreover, the cap 2 is applied to the main body 1 and has a plurality of circular openings, having various diameters, which can be aligned alternately one to another, in respect with circular openings provided on the main body 1 , so that the water flow rate, coming out from the tank 4 through the outlet hole 6, can be selected.

Preferably, the device allows moving to three different positions, corresponding to three different water delivery flow rates.

Such feature, relating a by-pass or a partializing of the water flow, is obtained by the above mentioned structure, a part of which has also the function of acting as a one-way valve.

Moreover, advantageously, the components of the device 10 can be easily removed from the collecting tank 4, so as they can be cleaned and, in case it is necessary to modify the possible water flow rates which can be obtained by the device 10, it is enough extracting the cap 2 and modify its structure, keeping unchanged the remaining components of the device 10, and also of the tank 4.

As already mentioned, the device 10 can be marketed as an accessory for an apparatus for delivering and/or sterilizing water 100, so that it could be possible, for such apparatus for delivering and/or sterilizing water 100 and, in particular, for the tank 4 of the abovementioned apparatus 100, providing various (and preferably three) different water flow rates, depending on the needs of the user.

In parallel, the cap 2 of the device 10 can be designed and used as a spare part, in order to set a different number of flow rates or different flow rates.

As shown in detail in the attached figures 13 and 14, the device 10 is preferably used within the apparatus 100 for delivering and sterilizing or filtering of drinking water, wherein the apparatus 100 is made up of an outer structure or casing 102 comprising a support base 101 for one or more containers which have to be filled with filtered and/or purified water. The outer structure 102 can also comprise a jug 109, which is removable from the same structure 102 in order to transfer the drinking water inside the tank 4; this is particularly useful since it allows to collect water into the the apparatus 100 manually, so that the abovementioned apparatus 100 does not need a permanent or semi-permanent connection to a hydraulic system.

The outer casing 102 may have indicator means for indicating the operation of the apparatus 100 and at least a command key 104 for delivering filtered and sterilized water; moreover, the tank 4, which is placed into the seat 20, contains, on the bottom, the filter and the device 10 which is subject matter of the invention.

In favourite embodiments and examples of the invention, the apparatus 100 includes an ultraviolet reactor, as the sterilizing tube 21 , placed below the filter cartridge, and/or an electronic card for operating and controlling. In a further favorite embodiment of the apparatus 100, which can be additional or alternative to the previous ones, also a carbonating unit (not shown in figures) is comprised, comprising an injector with a screw system and valves for the depressurization.

Advantageously, the collecting tank 4 has a mainly horizontal development and is placed over the ultraviolet reactor for sterilizing and the filter cartridge, in order to thus ensure optimum use of space and at the same time a high delivery and load capacity (i.e., up to 2 litres).

From the above description, the characteristics of the device for collecting water and for adjusting the output water flow and of the apparatus for delivering and sterilizing the water, subject matter of the present invention, are clear as the resulting advantages are.

It is finally clear that numerous other variations can be made to the device for collecting water and adjusting the output flow in question, without departing from the novelty principles of the inventive idea, as it is clear that, into the the practical embodiments of the invention, the materials, the shapes and the dimensions of the illustrated details can be any according to the needs and the same can be replaced with others which are technically equivalent.

Claims

1. Device (10) for collecting water and for adjusting the output water flow, which is positioned within a tank (4) for collecting water of an apparatus (100) for delivering and sterilizing drinking water, said tank (4) being placed within a seat (20) of said apparatus (100) and having an inner compartment (4A), a bottom base (4B) and, on said bottom base (4B), at least one through outlet hole (6), from which the water flows and where a lower housing (5) for receiving said device (10) is located, characterized in that said device (10) comprises a main body (1), within which a shaped stem (16), on which a helical spring (17) runs, is provided, said spring (17) being able to move a valve element which is constituted by a body including a cylinder (18), which has at least one lower projection, and at least one sealing diaphragm (19) which is coupled to said outlet hole (6) of the tank (4).

2. Device (10) for collecting water as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said main body (1) has a cylindrical base (7), with a first diameter having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of said lower housing (5) of the tank (4), and an upper cylindrical portion (8) having a second diameter which is lower than said first diameter.

3. Device (10) for collecting water as claimed in at least one of the previous claims, characterized in that said at least one lower projection of said cylinder (18) is able to contact a further cylinder (22) for flowing the water within a sterilizing tube (21) of said apparatus (100), said sterilizing tube (21) being located below said tank (4) and said cylinder (18) of the valve element being able to move upwards by means of said at least one lower projection.

4. Device (10) for collecting water as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said main body (1) is associated with at least one cap or knob (2), which has a plurality of circular openings, of variable diameter, that are aligned alternately to one another, with respect to circular openings that are provided on said main body (1), so as to select different flow rates of water supply flowing from said tank (4) through said outlet hole (6).

5. Device (10) for collecting water as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tank (4) has a horizontal frame and at least one filter element is provided below said tank (4).

6. Device (10) for collecting water as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tank (4), said filter element and the components of said device (10) are mutually coupled in a removable way.

7. Device (10) for collecting water as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said apparatus (100) includes an outer structure or casing (102) comprising a support base (101) for one or more containers which have to be filled with filtered and/or purified water.

8. Device (10) for collecting water as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a jug (109) is incorporated into and removable from said outer structure (102), in order to transfer the water inside the tank (4) without the need of a permanent or semi-permanent connection to a hydraulic system.

9. Device (10) for collecting water as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said apparatus (100) includes at least one carbonation device, comprising an injector and depressurization valves.

10. Apparatus (100) for delivery and sterilizing drinking water equipped with a device (10) for collecting water and for adjusting the output water flow according to claim 1.