Purified water storage device

Abstract

A purified water storage device includes a container including a cover, a bladder having a top secured to the cover and a bottom secured to a through hole of the container, a pipe for both venting and draining having an end connected to the bladder and communicating therewith, the pipe including a check valve, a water pipe having an end connected to the bottom of the bladder and communicating therewith, and a level sensor disposed externally of the container and having an end connected to the bottom of the bladder and communicating therewith. The watertight bladder is made of thermoplastic for medical or food purposes. The bladder can be replaced after a predetermined times of use rather than regular cleaning. Venting is carried out and overflow is prevented. The device has the same effect as an open container. Its material is safe and cleanness can be maintained.

Claims

1. A purified water storage device comprising: a rigid container including a cover on a top and a through hole in a bottom; a flexible bladder having a top secured to the cover and a bottom secured to the through hole of the container; a pipe for both venting and draining having a first end connected to the top of the bladder and communicating therewith, the pipe for both venting and draining including a check valve distal the first end thereof; a water pipe having a first end connected to the bottom of the bladder and communicating therewith; and a level sensor disposed externally of the container and having a first end connected to the bottom of the bladder and communicating therewith; wherein the bladder is made of thermoplastic for medical or food purposes.

2. The purified water storage device of claim 1, wherein the top and the bottom of the bladder are secured to the container respectively and wherein in an empty state the bladder stands upright in the container.

3. The purified water storage device of claim 1, wherein in response to filling purified water into the bladder via the water pipe, water gradually rises in the bladder to deform the bladder into a cylindrical shape, wherein an outer diameter of the fully expanded bladder is greater than an inner diameter of the container, and wherein the outer diameter of the fully expanded bladder is at least 110% greater than the inner diameter of the container.

4. The purified water storage device of claim 1, wherein a plastic tubing part is mounted through the cover, an internally threaded hole is disposed at the top of the bladder, an externally threaded connector is disposed at the bottom of the bladder, the plastic tubing part is secured to the internally threaded hole, and the externally threaded connector is fastened in a hole on a bottom of the container.

5. The purified water storage device of claim 3, wherein a plastic tubing part is mounted through the cover, an internally threaded hole is disposed at the top of the bladder, an externally threaded connector is disposed at the bottom of the bladder, the plastic tubing part is secured to the internally threaded hole, and the externally threaded connector is fastened in a hole on a bottom of the container.

6. The purified water storage device of claim 1, further comprising a base disposed below the container for supporting the container, and wherein the water pipe and the level sensor are disposed within the base.

7. The purified water storage device of claim 3, further comprising a base disposed below the container for supporting the container, and wherein the water pipe and the level sensor are disposed within the base.

8. The purified water storage device of claim 4, further comprising a base disposed below the container for supporting the container, and wherein the water pipe and the level sensor are disposed within the base.

9. The purified water storage device of claim 5, further comprising a base disposed below the container for supporting the container, and wherein the water pipe and the level sensor are disposed within the base.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a purified water storage device according to the invention;

[0024] FIG. 2A is a schematic side view of the purified water storage device; and

[0025] FIG. 2B is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the device full of purified water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] For better understanding technical problems to be solved by the invention, technical solutions of the invention, and advantageous effects of the invention, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings taken with preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the preferred embodiments are for describing the invention and the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a purified water storage device in accordance with the invention comprises a base 1, a container 2 on the base 1, and a flexible bladder 3 fastened in the container 2 as discussed in detail below.

[0028] The container 2 is made of rigid material such as thermosetting polymer (plastic). A cover 4 is provided on a top of the container 2. A hole is formed through the cover 4. A component is mounted in the hole. The component is a plastic tubing part 5. A through hole is provided on a bottom of the container 2. The container 2 aims at increasing resistance of the bladder 3 to pressure of water stored in the bladder 3, thereby preventing the bladder 3 from being broken.

[0029] The flexible bladder 3 is fastened in the container 2. The bladder 3 is made of thermoplastic such as PE for medical or food purposes.

[0030] Top of the bladder 3 is provided with an internally threaded hole 6 having watertight and pressure resistant characteristics. Bottom of the bladder 3 is provided with an externally threaded connector 8 which is fastened in a hole of the container 2. One ends of a large water pipe 11 and a small hose 12 are connected to the externally threaded connector 8 respectively. A level sensor 7 is provided at the other end of the hose 12. The level sensor 7 may sense liquid levels in the bladder 3 by taking advantage of the principle which states that pressure exerted anywhere in a confined incompressible fluid is transmitted equally in all directions throughout the fluid such that the pressure variations. The sensed level is converted into a signal which is in turn sent to a controller for controlling opening or close of water entering the bladder 3 via a port at bottom of the bladder 3. The water pipe 11 at the externally threaded connector 8 serves as inflow port or outflow port. The plastic tubing part 5 is secured to the internally threaded hole 6 on top of the bladder 3 so that the bladder 3 may stand upright without being bent.

[0031] A pipe 9 has one end connected to the plastic tubing part 5 which communicates with inside of the bladder 3 via the internally threaded hole 6 on the top of the bladder 3. Air and water in the bladder 3 can flow out via the pipe 9. That is, the pipe 9 serves as both a drain pipe and a vent pipe. A check valve (i.e., one-way valve) 10 is provided in the pipe 9 to only allow water to flow out of the bladder 3. The base 1 is used to increase elevation of the purified water storage device so that water in the bladder 3 may have increased potential kinetic energy for ease of outflow. The water pipe 11, the hose 12, and the level sensor 7 are disposed in the internal space of the base 1.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B in conjunction with FIG. 1, water filling and water discharging of the purified water storage device of the invention are illustrated below.

[0033] Initially, the bladder 3 is empty. The plastic tubing part 5 through the cover 4 and the internally threaded hole 6 on the top of the bladder 3 are secured together. The externally threaded connector 8 at the bottom of the bladder 3 is fastened in a hole of the container 2. Thus, the bladder 3 stands upright with respect to a central vertical line of the container 2. Also, very little air exists in the bladder 3.

[0034] Next, purified water fills into the bladder 3 via the water pipe 11 at the bottom of the bladder 3. Water gradually rises in the bladder 3 to deform the bladder 3 into a columnar shape. The outer diameter of the fully expanded bladder 3 is greater than the inner diameter of the container 2. Specifically, the outer diameter of the fully expanded bladder 3 is at least 110% greater than the inner diameter of the container 2.

[0035] After level reaching a predetermined height, air may rise to fill an upper portion of the bladder 3 if there is air in the water. Further, the air may be expelled out of the bladder 3 via the internally threaded hole 6, the pipe 9 and the check valve 10.

[0036] After level reaching the predetermined height, the level sensor 7 may stop the inflow. Also, the air in the upper portion of the bladder 3 does not interfere with the generation of a level signal by the level sensor 7.

[0037] In response to a water supply need from a downstream consumption device, purified water in the bladder 3 may flow out of the bladder 3 to the consumption device via the water pipe 11 due to its higher elevation or a pumping operation. The flexible nature of the bladder 3 may not interfere with the outflow. Also, external air may not be sucked into the bladder 3 due to the provision of the check valve 10. Otherwise, pollutants in the external air may contaminate purified water stored in the bladder 3.

[0038] The outflow will continue until very little air exists in the empty bladder 3. The filling may not stop after the bladder 3 being fully filled with purified water due to malfunction of the level sensor 7 and/or an upstream purified water supply. Advantageously, excess water may flow out of the bladder 3 via the pipe 9 to prevent overflow from occurring on the ground.

[0039] The bladder 3 can be replaced with a new one after a period time of use. This is because the bladder 3 may be contaminated. Water in the bladder 3 may be discharged, disengage the bladder 3 from the container 2, and remove the bladder 3 by opening the cover 4 are steps of the replacement. After the removal, the new bladder 3 can be installed by performing steps reverse to that described above.

[0040] While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.