Abstract
Disclosed is a water dispenser including a container with an out-let channel at the bottom thereof and a manually operated valve arrangement with a valve member resiliently pre-stressed towards a closing state.
Claims
1. A water dispenser comprising a container for holding water for dispensing, the container having top, side wall and a bottom defining an inner volume; the container comprising an outlet channel at the bottom of the container for dispensing water from the inner volume through the outlet channel, the outlet channel having an upstream end in inner volume inside the container and a downstream end at an outer side of the container, wherein the water dispenser comprises a manually operated valve arrangement with a valve member either at an upstream end or at a downstream end of the outlet channel, the valve arrangement being arranged to toggle between a closing state where the upstream end or the down-stream end of the outlet channel is obstructed by the valve member and an open state where the valve member is removed from its obstructing state for dispensing the water from the inner volume through the outlet channel, wherein the valve member is pre-stressed by a resiliently pre-stressing force towards a closing state; wherein the manually operated valve arrangement comprises a hinged lever arranged for manual push or pull for moving the valve member by the lever against the pre-stressing force for changing the valve member from the closing to the open state.
2. The water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the lever has a first lever end and a second lever end, wherein the lever is hinged by a hinge profile arranged between the first lever end and the second lever end, wherein the second lever end is arranged to push or pull the valve member from its pre-stressed closing position to an open position upon manual pressure or pull acting on the first and of the lever.
3. The water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the outlet channel is substantially horizontal and has a substantially horizontal flow direction, and wherein a platform is provided on an outer side of dispenser side wall and located underneath the outlet channel, the platform extending farther from the side wall than the outlet channel, wherein the platform is arranged for the water from the outlet channel flowing downwards onto the platform during open state of the valve arrangement and for being dispensed to a user from the platform for consumptions.
4. The water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a frame the side wall and around the outlet channel, the lever being hinged inside this frame, and the frame comprises the platform as part of the frame.
5. The water dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the side wall of the container and the frame are plastic molded in one piece.
6. The water dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the frame comprises two side portions arranged on opposite sides of the outlet channel, wherein the lever is hinged in the side portions along a horizontal axis wherein the lever is oriented substantially vertically.
7. The water dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the frame comprises a profile above the outlet channel and extending from the side wall outwards and ex tending from one to the other of the side portions, the profile being arranged for preventing water to flow upwards along the side wall and/or the frame during dispensing of water from the outlet channel and for guiding water from the outlet channel downwards for dispensing.
8. The water dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the valve member comprises a resilient central part that obstructs the downstream end of the outlet channel in the closing state and an upper part above the central part, the upper part extending from the valve member towards the side wall and forming a roof above the downstream end of the outlet channel for preventing water to flow upwards along the valve member during dispensing of water from the outlet channel and for guiding water downwards for dispensing.
9. The water dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the upper part of the valve member is located between the outlet channel and the profile.
10. The water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the valve member is fastened to the lever, and wherein a spring is arranged for acting on the lever in order for the lever to provide the resilient pre-stressing force on the valve member, and wherein the valve arrangement is arranged for being opened by manual force acting on the lever and counteracting the pre-stressing force on the valve member.
11. The water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a top insert inserted into the container from the top of the container, the top insert comprising a receptacle for water to be filtered and a water filter compartment for a water filter; the top insert being arranged for receiving water to be filtered into the receptacle and for filtering water through the water filter and into the reservoir by gravity.
12. The water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the valve member comprises a resilient central part that obstructs the downstream end of the outlet channel in the closing state and an upper part above the central part, the upper part extending from the valve member towards the side wall and forming a roof above the downstream end of the outlet channel for preventing water to flow upwards along the valve member during dispensing of water from the outlet channel and for guiding water downwards for dispensing.
Description
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, wherein
[0028] FIG. 1A illustrates a water dispenser;
[0029] FIG. 1B illustrates a top insert for the dispenser;
[0030] FIG. 2A shows a front part of a moulded container;
[0031] FIG. 2B illustrates the frame on the front part and a lever and valve member mounted;
[0032] FIG. 2C is a sectional view of the lever mounting;
[0033] FIG. 2D is a font view of the valve member;
[0034] FIG. 2E illustrates the mounting principle of the valve member;
[0035] FIG. 2F shows the valve member from the back;
[0036] FIG. 2G illustrates a cover for the frame;
[0037] FIG. 2H is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 3A is a principle sketch of a first embodiment of a valve arrangement;
[0039] FIG. 3B is a principle sketch of a slight modification of the first embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 3C is a principle sketch of a further slightly modification of the first embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 4A is a principle sketch of a second embodiment of a valve arrangement;
[0042] FIG. 4B is a principle sketch of a slight modification of the second embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 4C is a principle sketch of a further modification of the second embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of a lever;
[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates a non-integrated valve arrangement;
[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative non-integrated valve arrangement;
[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates a further alternative non-integrated valve arrangement;
[0048] FIG.9A illustrates a first mounting principle of the non-integrated valve arrangement;
[0049] FIG. 9B illustrates a second mounting principle of the non-integrated valve arrangement;
[0050] FIG. 10A illustrates a separate valve in the water channel;
[0051] FIG. 10B illustrates a slight modification of the embodiment of FIG. 10A;
[0052] FIG. 10C illustrates a lever arrangement for the embodiments of FIG. 10A and 10B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION/PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0053] FIG. 1A illustrates a dispenser 1 having a top 2 comprising a lid 2′ and a bottom 3 on which it stands when in use, as well as side walls 4, which in common define a container 5 with an inner volume 6 for water.
[0054] The dispenser 1 comprises a top insert 7, which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 1B. The top insert 7 is optional and useful when filtering water before consumption, as it comprises a water filter 8 for filtering water inside a filter compartment 9. When such a top insert 7 is used for the dispenser 1, water is filled into an upper dirt water receptacle 10 from which the dirt water to be filtered is entering the filter compartment 9 and the filter 8 for finally leaving the filter compartment 9 as filtered water through a filter exit 11 at the bottom of the filter compartment 9 from which it flows into the clean water tank 12 of the container 5. From the clean water tank 12, the water can be dispensed through a water outlet 13 typically arranged at the bottom 3 of the clean water tank 12 in order to be able to entirely empty the clean water tank 12 through the water outlet 13. The water outlet 13 is covered by a valve arrangement 14.
[0055] In the shown embodiment, the dispenser 1 is dimensioned and formed to fit into a refrigerator for cooling the water before dispensing it through the water outlet 13.
[0056] The bottom 3 and side walls 4 of the container 5, as illustrated in FIG. 1, are advantageously formed as a single piece that is moulded in polymer, for example transparent polymer in order for the user to observe the water level in the container 5.
[0057] FIG. 2A illustrates that the front of the container 5 comprises a frame 17, moulded integrally in one piece with the foremost side wall 4′. The frame 17 extends outwardly from the foremost side wall 4′ and forms a mechanical basis for holding the valve arrangement 14. The valve arrangement 14 toggles between closing and opening an outlet channel 15 of the water outlet 13. When water leaves the container 5 through the outlet channel 15, the water falls onto a platform 16, for example a curved platform, as illustrated, which is arranged below the outlet channel 15 and which extends farther from the foremost side wall 4′ than the outlet channel 15. From the platform 16, water is dispensed to the user. The platform 16 is illustrated as a part of the frame 17, which is, therefore, simple in construction and yields a high mechanical stability.
[0058] Above the outlet channel 15, there is provided a profile 18 which is used as a roof above the outlet channel 15 for preventing water to flow upwards and for guiding the water downwards towards the platform 16. The profile 18 extends between opposite sides of the frame 17.
[0059] FIG. 2B illustrates a valve arrangement 14 mounted to the frame 17, where the walls of the container 5 and the frame 17 are moulded in a transparent polymer material. The valve arrangement 14 is simple in its construction and comprises in the shown embodiment only three parts, namely a lever 20, a valve member 19, and a helical spring 22.
[0060] The lever 20 comprises a hinge profile 21 on either longitudinal side of the lever 20. The hinge profile 21 comprises a protrusion 21C that cooperates with a corresponding opening 17A in the frame 17 for rotational movement of the hinge profile 21 around an axis extending through the openings 17A of the two sides of the frame 17. For mounting the lever 20, the hinge profiles 21 are slightly pressed towards each other so that the hinge profiles 21 with the protrusions 21C fit in into the space defined by the sides of the frame 17, and the protrusions 21C snap into the cooperating openings 17C.
[0061] When the first, upper end (20A) of the lever 20 is pressed inwards by a finger against the pre-stressed force of the spring 22, the second, lower end (20B) moves outwards away from the container 5, and the valve member 19 will be lifted away from the downstream end 15B of the channel 15 and open for flow of water through the outlet channel 15 and down onto the platform 16, from where the water is received by the user for consumption.
[0062] FIG. 2C illustrates sectional view through the frame 17 and the lever 20 as well as the spring 22 and the valve member 19. The drawing illustrates that not only the profile 18 that creates a roof over the outlet channel 15 prevents water from flowing upwards along the lever 20, but that also the valve member 19 with its upper cylindrical part 19A covers the area above the outlet channel and captures water and guides it downwards to the platform 16. Centrally, a bulb-formed resilient part 19B forms a gasket against the downstream end 15B of the outlet channel 15.
[0063] FIG. 2D shows a perspective view of the valve member 19, showing the cylindrical part 19A that extends over an angular span in the range of 180-270°, which is sufficient as a good barrier for preventing water from flowing upwards.
[0064] FIG. 2E and FIG. 2F illustrate the valve member 19 and its mounting in a detailed image. The valve member 19 comprises a notch 19C fitting with a corresponding protrusion 25A on the retainer 25 onto which the resilient valve member 19 is mounted by pressing the resilient elastomeric valve member 19 over the cylindrical edge of the retainer 25. The cooperation of the groove 19C and the retainer protrusion 25A assures that the valve member 19 is mounted in a correct orientation.
[0065] FIG. 2G illustrates a cover 19 for the frame 17, where the cover 29 is pushed over the frame 17 and held in place. A slit 29A in the cover 29 eases mounting.
[0066] FIG. 2H illustrates a cover 29, which comprises an edge 29B at it upper side in order to make it easier for the user to operate the valve arrangement 14. A user would, thus, place one or two fingers behind the upper edge 29B and press with the thumb against the first end (20A) of the lever 20.
[0067] FIG. 3A illustrates a first principle for the valve arrangement 14 where, instead of the upper edge 29B of the cover 29, there is such an edge 17B for ease of operation integrated in the frame 17 itself. The valve arrangement 14 comprises a valve member 19 fastened to the second end of a lever 20 that has a hinged profile 21 and is pre-stressed by a helical coil spring 22 into its closed position. In this embodiment, the valve member 19 closes the downstream end 15B of the outlet channel 15. In order to keep the valve member 19 pre-stressed against the downstream end 15B of the outlet channel 15, the spring 22 is located between the hinged profile 21 and the first end (20A) of the lever 20 and compressed in order to exert force on the first end (20A) of the lever 20 by expansion of the spring 22. The expansion force of the spring presses the valve member 19 against the downstream end 15B of the outlet channel 15.
[0068] FIG. 3B illustrates the functioning of the first principle for the valve arrangement 14 of FIG. 3A in that a manual push with a finger, for example thumb, against the upper, first end (20A) of the lever 20 removes the valve member 19 from the downstream end 15B of the outlet channel 15, so that water can flow unhindered through the outlet channel 15 and down onto the platform 16, as illustrated by an arrow 27.
[0069] FIG. 3B show a further feature in addition to the features in FIG. 3A, namely a protrusion 17C on the frame 17, where the protrusion 17C in cooperation with the first end (20A) of the lever 20 forms a snap holder when the second end (20B) of the lever 20 is resiliently pressed under the protrusion 23 by manual force, and where the protrusion 23 holds the lever 20 in the valve-open orientation because the force of the spring 22 is not sufficient for returning the lever 20 pass the protrusion 23. An additional manual press on the first end (20B) of the lever 20 is necessary in order to close the valve arrangement 14 again.
[0070] FIG. 3C illustrates an alternative to the embodiment in FIG. 3B in which a magnet 24 is used as an alternative to the protrusion 23, and where the magnetic force is sufficiently strong to counteract the force of the spring 22 and hold the lever 20 in place when the first end (20A) of the lever 20 is attached to the magnet 24.
[0071] FIG. 3D shows a further alternative feature in addition to the features in FIG. 3A, namely a snap holder 23 at the hinged profile 21. When the lever 20 is operated by a manual pushing force against the first end (20A) of the lever 20, an edge 21A of the hinged profile 21 is moved pass a protrusion 23 which due to deformation force holds the lever 20 in place, until a manual pushing counterforce against the second end (20B) of the lever 20 is bringing the lever 20 into the closed state orientation where the valve member 19 at the end of the stem 25 is again closing the downstream stream end 15B of the outlet channel 15.
[0072] FIG. 3E illustrates an alternative embodiment, where a spring 30 is connecting a holding point 28 on the foremost side wall 4′ of the container 5 with an angled arm 21B of the hinge profile 21 in a knee-joint configuration. In the open configuration, as shown, the holding spring 30 is compressed and exerts an expanding, pushing force in order to hold the lever 20 in an open state of the valve arrangement. During manual pushing of the second end (20B) of the lever 20, the holding spring 30 is first further compressed, until the spring 30 in upward motion passes a dead point line 28A, after which is expands again during further manual pushing of the second end (20A) of the lever 20, after which that the holding spring 30 then holds the lever 20 in an orientation where the lever keeps the valve arrangement 14 in an closing state.
[0073] FIG. 4A illustrates a second principle for the valve arrangement 14. In this case, the valve arrangement 14 comprises a valve member 19 connected to the end of a stem 31 that is attached with its one end to the second end (20B) of the lever 20. Also, in this embodiment, the lever 20 is hinged in a hinged profile 21 and pre-stressed by a helical coil spring 22 into its closed position, where the valve member 19 closes the outlet channel 15. However, in contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 3A, the valve member closes the upstream end 15A of the outlet channel 15. In order to keep the valve member 19 pre-stressed against the upstream end 15A of the outlet channel 15, the spring 22 is located between the hinge profile 21 and the second end (20B) of the lever 20 and compressed in order to exert force on the second end (20B) of the lever 20 by extension of the spring.
[0074] FIG. 4B shows a further feature in addition to the features in FIG. 4A, namely a snap holder 26 at the hinged profile 21. When the lever 20 is operated by a manual pulling force, an edge 21A of the hinged profile 21 is moved pass a protrusion 23 which due to deformation force holds the lever 20 in place, until a manual pushing counterforce at the first end (20A) of the lever 20 is bringing the lever 20 into the closed state orientation where the valve member 19 at the end of the stem 25 is again closing the upstream end 15A of the outlet channel 15.
[0075] FIG. 4C illustrates an alternative embodiment, where a spring 30 is connecting a holding point 28 on the foremost side wall 4′ of the container 5 with an angled arm 21B of the hinge 21 in a knee-joint configuration. The holding spring 30 is compressed when the lever 20 holds the valve arrangement 14 in the closed state. During manual pulling of the first end (20A) of the lever 20, the holding spring 30 is first compressed, until the spring passes a dead point line 28A, after which is expands during further manual pulling of the first end (20A) of the lever 20, so that the holding spring 30 then holds the lever 20 in an orientation where the pre-stressed lever 20 keeps the valve arrangement 14 in an open state. A manual pushing force is necessary at the first end (20A) of the lever 20 in order to bring the lever 20 into the orientation where the lever 20 holds the valve arrangement 14 in a closed state.
[0076] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a lever 20, in which a leaf spring 20C is integrated as part of the lever 20 material. The leaf spring 20C has a similar function as the helical coil spring 22 explained above.
[0077] In the above examples, the lever 20 was held by its hinge profiles 21 inside the frame 17. In the Example of FIG. 6, the valve member 19 and the lever 20 are integrated in a valve insert unit 33, which is mounted, for example pressed, into the frame 17. In order to make the connection between the outlet channel 15 and the valve insert unit 32 watertight, a gasket is used between the downstream end 15B of the outlet channel 15 and the valve insert unit 32.
[0078] FIG. 7 also illustrates a valve insert unit 32, resembling the lever and valve principle of FIG. 4A.
[0079] FIG. 8 illustrates a valve insert unit 32 which uses a different principle for the lever action in that the lever 20 has a central joint 20D and two hinge profiles 21 on either longitudinal edge of the lever 20. Pull at the first end 21A of the lever 20 results in a motion of the second end (20B) in the same direction.
[0080] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B illustrate mounting principles of the valve insert unit 32. In FIG. 9A, the valve insert unit 32 is pushed into the frame 17 in a lateral direction, whereas in FIG. 9B, the valve insert unit 32 is pushed into the frame 17 in a direction parallel with the foremost side wall 4′. The latter, however, requires a slight modification of the frame 17 as compared to the embodiments above.
[0081] FIG. 10A illustrates an enlarged view of a valve 34 that is mounted in the foremost side wall 4′. The valve 34 comprises a valve stem 31, around which an O-ring 34A is provided for tightening against the upstream end 15A of the outlet channel 15. Pushing against the head 34C of the valve 34 will move the O-ring 34A into the container 5 and away from the upstream end 15A of the outlet channel 15 so that water can flow through the outlet channel 15. The O-ring 34A in cooperation with the stem 31 cover the entrance to the outlet channel 15 at its upstream end 15A and therefore constitute a closing valve member 19, taking a role similarly to the one that was discussed above in relation to FIG. 2.
[0082] FIG. 10B illustrates a slightly different valve arrangement where the valve is closer to the bottom 3 of the container 5 in order to make sure that substantially all water can be emptied through the valve 34.
[0083] FIG. 10C illustrates a lever 20 that can be used to push the head 34C of the valve of FIG. 10 inwards. Notice that the valve itself is not shown in FIG. 10C for simplicity, however, the lever can be used for both valve arrangements of FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0084] 1 dispenser
[0085] 2 top of container 5
[0086] 3 bottom of container 5
[0087] 4 side walls of container 5
[0088] 4′ foremost side wall
[0089] 5 container
[0090] 6 inner volume of container 5
[0091] 7 top insert
[0092] 8 water filter
[0093] 9 filter compartment
[0094] 10 dirt water receptacle
[0095] 11 filter exit
[0096] 12 clean water tank
[0097] 13 water outlet
[0098] 14 valve arrangement
[0099] 15 outlet channel
[0100] 15A upstream end of channel
[0101] 15B downstream end of channel
[0102] 16 platform
[0103] 17 pre-moulded frame
[0104] 17A snap protrusion of frame 17 (optional)
[0105] 17B upper edge of frame 17 for facilitating manual operation of the valve
[0106] 17C opening in pre-moulded frame 17 for cooperation with protrusion 21C
[0107] 18 profile above channel
[0108] 19 valve member
[0109] 19A cylindrical part of valve member 19
[0110] 19B bulb-formed gasket part of valve member 19
[0111] 19C notch of valve member 19
[0112] 20 lever
[0113] 20A first end of lever 20
[0114] 20B second end of lever 20
[0115] 20C integrated spring in lever 20
[0116] 20D Central joint of lever 20
[0117] 21 hinge profile of lever 20
[0118] 21A edge of hinge profile
[0119] 21B arm of hinge profile
[0120] 21C protrusion of hinge profile
[0121] 22 helical coil spring
[0122] 23 protrusion to form snap holder in cooperation with the edge 21A of the hinge
[0123] 24 magnet
[0124] 25 retainer for valve member 19
[0125] 25A top protrusion of retainer 25
[0126] 26 arrow illustrating manual push action
[0127] 27 arrow illustrating water flow
[0128] 28 holding point
[0129] 28A dead point line
[0130] 29 cover for frame 18
[0131] 29A slit in cover 29 for easy mounting
[0132] 29B upper edge of cover for easing manual pressure
[0133] 30 holding spring
[0134] 31 valve stem
[0135] 32 valve insert unit
[0136] 33 gasket between valve insert unit 32 and foremost side wall 4′
[0137] 34 separate valve
[0138] 34A O-ring of separate valve 34
[0139] 34B valve spring
[0140] 34C head of valve 34
