JPH07303879A - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the generation of harmful gas at the time of the incineration of a filter case and to reduce the heat value generated at the time of incineration by forming the filter case from a hydrocarbon type synthetic resin containing calcium carbonate. CONSTITUTION:A water purifier is equipped with a case 38 having an unpurified water receiving port 36 at the upper part thereof and a purified water outflow port at the lower part thereof, the filter 62 arranged in the case 38 in a detachable manner and the filter 40 built in the filter case 62 and the filter case 62 is made of a hydrocarbon-based synthetic resin containing calcium carbonate. The filter 40 is made of an activated carbon fiber and the water purifier 30 is equipped with electrodes 42, 44 for applying potential to the activated carbon fiber and the conductive member applying voltage to the electrodes 42, 44 and the electrodes 42, 44 and the conductive member are provided in an unfixed state with respect to the filter case 62. Further, the water purifier 30 is the pot type one arranged on a lower container 32 for storing purified water and the filter case 62 is directly brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the case 38 in a watertight state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water purifier for filtering raw water (unpurified water) such as tap water with a filter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Water purifiers for removing residual chlorine and the like in tap water to produce so-called "delicious" water are becoming popular. This water purifier mainly includes a type that is attached to a faucet of a water supply and a pot type water purifier that stores purified water in a container such as a tabletop pot.

This water purifier has a structure in which a filter is arranged in a case. There is a water purifier in which this filter is housed in a filter case and is removably inserted into the case like a cartridge. If the filter becomes dirty, replace the filter case containing this filter with a new one.

[0004]

The used filter case with a built-in filter is abandoned, but if toxic gas is generated when it is incinerated together with raw garbage in a garbage disposal site, it is a cause of environmental deterioration. Will be.

[0005]

A water purifier according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with a case having an unpurified water inlet at its upper portion and a purified water outlet at its lower portion, and is installed so that it can be inserted into and removed from the case. A filter case and a filter built in the filter case are provided, and the filter case is made of a hydrocarbon-based synthetic resin containing calcium carbonate.

As the synthetic resin, propylene (hereinafter abbreviated as PP), polyethylene, polystyrene,
Acrylic and the like are preferable, but PP is most preferable. Carbon content is 10-50%, especially 20-30%
Is preferred.

The water purifier of claim 2 is the same as that of claim 1.
The filter is made of activated carbon fiber, and the water purifier includes an electrode for applying a potential to the activated carbon fiber and a conductive member for applying a voltage to the electrode. Is provided in a non-fixed state with respect to the filter case.

The water purifier of claim 3 is the same as that of claim 2.
The water purifier is a pot-type water purifier installed on the upper side of a lower container for storing purified water, the case is a tubular shape with both upper and lower surfaces open, and the filter case is on the inner peripheral surface of the case. It is characterized in that it is in direct watertight contact.

[0009]

In the water purifier of the present invention, since the filter case is made of a hydrocarbon synthetic resin containing calcium carbonate (calcium carbonate), no toxic gas is generated when the filter case is incinerated. In addition, by including charcoal,
It produces less heat when incinerated.

In the water purifier of claim 2, since the filter is made of activated carbon fiber, no toxic gas is generated even when the filter is incinerated.

Further, since the electrode and the conductive member are not fixed to the filter case, when discarding the filter case, the electrode and the conductive member can be removed from the filter case and only the filter and the filter case can be discarded.

In the water purifier of the third aspect, the filter case is watertightly fitted to the case without using the rubber packing, and the rubber packing is additionally disposed when the filter case is discarded. Never.

[0013]

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a pot type water purifier according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same, the upper half of which is a plan view with a lid closed, and the lower half of which is a lid removed. It is a top view in a state. Note that, in FIG. 2, illustration of a cap described later is omitted. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the water purifier according to this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a usage example of the water purifier.

The pot-type water purifier 30 is installed above a bottomed cylindrical lower container 32. The pot-type water purifier 30 has a substantially cylindrical case 38 having an outlet 34 on the bottom surface and an inlet 36 on the upper surface, and a filter 40 made of activated carbon fiber arranged in the case 38. An anode 42 provided in contact with the filter 40 and a cathode 44 provided so as to be separated from the filter 40 are provided.

In the case 38, a cylindrical portion 48 is vertically extended in order to pour out the water in the lower container 32, and the inside of the cylindrical portion 48 serves as a spout 46.

A battery casing 50 projects laterally from the side peripheral surface of the case 38, and a storage space for the dry battery 52 and a substrate 54 are provided in the battery casing 50. Reference numeral 56 is a battery lid for replacing the dry battery 52 provided in the battery casing 50. A transparent portion 58 is provided on the upper surface of the battery casing 50.
The LED 60 is installed on the lower side.

The filter 40 is housed in a filter case 62. The filter case 62 is made of carbon charcoal-containing PP. Each of the upper surface and the lower surface of the filter case 62 is provided with an opening so that water can pass therethrough. A knob 64 is provided so as to project from the upper surface of the filter case 62, and the filter case 62 can be taken in and out of the case 38 by grasping the knob 64. The outer peripheral surface of the filter case 62 is tapered so as to be narrowed downward, and is in direct watertight contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tapered case 38.

The cathode 44 is inserted in the lower half of a small hole 62a for inserting a cathode which is provided through the bottom surface of the filter case 62.

Reference numeral 65 is a lead wire connecting the substrate 54 and the electrodes 42, 44.

A lid 66 made of soft plastic is detachably provided on the upper surface of the case 38. The lid 66 has an opening 67 into which the cylindrical portion 48 is inserted. From the upper edge of the opening 67, a short cylindrical portion 68 in which the cylindrical portion 48 is fitted is provided upright. This cylindrical part 68
A cap 70 made of a soft plastic capable of closing the cover is pivotally attached to the lid 66.

On the inner surface of the case 38, the case 38
A pair of electrodes 72 are provided to detect the water poured therein. When water is poured into the case 38 until the electrodes 72 are submerged, the electrodes 72, 72 are brought into conduction and the LED
60 is turned on.

The pot type water purifier 30 having the above-mentioned structure
The usage of is explained below.

As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the lid 66 is removed from the pot-type water purifier 30 connected to the lower container 32, and the lid 66 is placed below the faucet 74, and water is supplied from the faucet 74 to the case 3
Pour water into 8. The water poured into the case 38 passes through the filter 40 and is subjected to a filtering process, and then the lower container 3
2 and is stored in the lower container 32.

By pouring water from the faucet 74 at a water supply rate higher than the filtration rate of the filter 40, water is collected in the case 38. The water level in this case 38 is the electrode 7
When it becomes higher than 2, the electrodes 72, 72 are brought into conduction, and the LED 60 is turned on as described above. The light emitted from the LED 60 is visible to the user through the transparent portion 58, and the user can perceive that the water purifier 30 is operating.

After the required amount of water has accumulated in the lower container 32, water injection from the faucet 74 is stopped, and then FIG. 4 (b).
The lid 66 is put on the case 38 as shown in FIG. Further, the cap 70 is put on the cylindrical portion 68. As a result, since the lower container 32 is in a sealed state, it can be stored as it is in a refrigerator or the like. As shown in FIG. 4 (c), the water purifier 30 and the lower container 32 may be separated, the lower container 32 may be directly attached with the lid 66, and stored in the refrigerator in this state. .

The diameter of the upper part of the lower container 32 is equal to the diameter of the upper part of the case 38, and the lid 66 can be attached to both the case 38 and the lower container 32.

The skirt portion 38 extends from the outer peripheral surface of the case 38.
a is extended, and a packing 38b is provided inside the skirt portion 38a so as to be in close contact with the upper end surface of the lower container 32. Therefore, even if unpurified water overflows the case 38 when pouring water into the case 38, the water does not flow into the lower container 32.

Further, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 68 is watertightly fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 48, and the cap 70 is watertightly fitted on the upper end of the cylindrical portion 68. . Therefore, even if the container 32 falls down in the state of FIG. 4 (b) or (c) stored in a refrigerator or the like, water does not flow out to the outside.

In this embodiment, the filter 40 is made of activated carbon fiber, and the anode 42 is in contact with the filter 40. Further, a cathode 44 is provided so as to be separated from the filter 40 and to come into contact with water in the filter case 62, and the anode 42 and the cathode 44 are periodically provided with a voltage of 0.5 to 2.0V. A changing voltage can be applied. Therefore, even if water remains in the filter case 62, this residual water is electrically sterilized, and even if some time elapses between the previous use and the next use, the next At the time of use, extremely hygienic water containing no or almost no germs is supplied from the filter 40 to the lower container 32.

That is, as a result of various studies conducted by the present inventors, bacteria that are alive and undergoing metabolism are negatively charged. Therefore, when a low voltage is applied between electrodes placed in water, Bacteria of the above are electrophoresed and finally reach the anode. And when the bacteria that reach the electrode touch the electrode,
The coenzymes involved in many enzymatic reactions in the cell are oxidized and reduced, and at the same time, intracellular anion is excreted. This revealed that the bacteria impair their metabolic function and die.

Note that the effect varies depending on the voltage applied at this time, and it has been found that the effective voltage varies depending on the type of bacteria. That is, it has been experimentally confirmed that the voltage at which the maximum effect is exerted is between 0.7V and 1.5V. To explain this in detail, a voltage of 0.7 V to 0.8 V is suitable for killing bacteria at the electrode, and it is suitable to apply a voltage of about 1.5 V for attracting bacteria to the electrode. Therefore, in the present invention, it is preferable to apply a voltage that cyclically changes from 0.5 V to 2.0 V, particularly from 0.6 V to 1.5 V, between both electrodes 42 and 44. , Escherichia coli and general bacteria can be effectively killed.

In this embodiment, the filter 40 is made of activated carbon fiber, and the filter case 62 is made of carbon black.
Since it is made of P, no toxic gas is generated when the filter 40 and the filter case are incinerated. Also, the amount of heat generated during incineration is small.

In this embodiment, the upper end of the cylindrical portion 48 extends above the upper end of the side peripheral surface of the case 38. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), when water is supplied from the faucet 74 into the case 38, even if the water supply rate from the faucet 74 is too high and the water overflows from the case 38, It does not go around the upper end of the cylindrical portion 48. That is, the untreated tap water overflowing from the case 38 never flows backward through the spout 46 and drops into the lower container 32.

In this embodiment, a battery casing 50 is provided so as to project from the side of the case 38.
A battery 52 is installed in the 0. The battery casing 50 is arranged at a position laterally displaced from above the lower container 32, and the lower end portion of the battery casing 50 is
It is located below the upper end of the lower container 32. Therefore, even if a liquid leaks from the dry battery 52, this liquid never enters the lower container 32.

In this embodiment, when water is stored in the case 38, the LED 60 is turned on for a short time. This lighting time is set to 5 seconds in the present embodiment, and the life of the dry battery 52 is extremely long by shortening the lighting time. However, in addition to such a light generating means such as an LED, a means for generating a sound such as an electronic buzzer may be used.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a water purifier 30C according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a filter case, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the case, and FIGS. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the installation part of an electrode and a lead piece.

This water purifier 30C is attached to the lower container 32 via a case attachment 108.

Filter case 62B of this water purifier 30C
As shown in FIG. 7, a case upper 62U and a case lower 62L are connected to each other, and a filter 40 made of activated carbon fiber is housed in the filter case 62B through a mesh 111. This mesh 111
Is made of non-conductive synthetic resin.

A first cylindrical portion 110 is provided so as to project upward from the case upper 62U. The upper end of the first cylindrical portion 110 is inserted into the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 68 of the lid 66 and is in watertight contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 68.

From the case lower 62L, the second cylindrical portion 1
12 is erected upward, and the second cylindrical portion 112
The upper end of is fitted in a watertight manner to the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 110.

The case 38C of this embodiment is integrally provided with a bottom cover 80A that covers the lower side of the filter case 62B, and the bottom cover 80A is provided with an opening 114. From the edge of the opening 114 to the ring portion 11
6 is erected, and this ring portion 116 is the second cylindrical portion 11
It is fitted to the lower end of 2.

The cylindrical portion 110, 112 and the ring portion 116 form a spout 46.

On the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 110, a sixth
As shown in the figure, a long rib 118 is extended in the vertical direction, and the upper end of the rib 118 is provided at the opening 6 of the lid 66.
It abuts the lower edge of 7.

If the filter case 62B is not inserted into the case 38C sufficiently deeply, the lower edge of the opening 67 will be the rib 11.
It hits the upper end of 8. Therefore, the filter case 6
The user who has exchanged 2B will insert the filter case 62B deep into the case 38C so that the lid 66 can be attached to the case 38C. As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the filter case 62B covers the entire circumference of the case 38.
It adheres to the inner peripheral surface of C.

Since the rib 118 is provided on the first cylindrical portion 110 in this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 110 has high strength and rigidity.

In this embodiment, the battery casing 50A is covered by the case 38 via the packing 122 made of elastomer.
It is fixed to C with screws 123. A trigger 124 is pivotally supported by a pin 126 on the battery casing 50A. Front protrusion 124 on top of trigger 124
By engaging a with the flange portion 128 on the outer periphery of the upper end of the lower container 32, the case 38C can be firmly attached to the lower container 32.

A spring piece portion 124b provided on the rear surface of the upper portion of the trigger 124 contacts the battery casing 50A, whereby the upper end of the trigger 124 is biased to the left in FIG.

By pushing the lower end of the trigger 124 to the left side in FIG. 12, the protrusion 124a is disengaged from the flange 128, and the case 38C can be removed from the lower container 32.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, thin plate-shaped lead pieces (conductive members) 140 and 142 bent in a crank shape are interposed between the case 38C and the filter case 62B. One end (upper end) of each of the lead pieces 140 and 142 has an opening 144 and a packing 122 of the case 38C.
Are connected to the circuit board 54 through the openings 144 and 146.

Circular holes 140a and 142a are provided at the other ends of the lead pieces 140 and 142, respectively. This circular hole 14
Electrodes 150 and 152 are arranged coaxially with 0a and 142a. The electrode (cathode) 152 is made of metal and has screws 15
It is fixed to the lead piece 142 by 4. The electrode 152 may be a carbon electrode like the electrode 150 described below.

These electrodes 150 and 152 are exposed to the inside of the filter case 38C through the openings on the bottom surface of the case lower 62L of the filter case 62B. Electrode (anode)
150 further includes an opening 158 (sixth portion of the mesh 111).
(See FIG. 2) and is in contact with the filter 40 made of activated carbon fiber. The anode 150 is a carbon electrode, and is fixed to the lead piece 140 by soldering a copper wire embedded therein to the lead piece 140.

Reference numeral 156 in FIGS. 8 and 9 denotes a packing.

The filter case 62B of the present embodiment is also made of PP containing carbon charcoal, and does not generate toxic gas even if it is incinerated with the filter 40 made of activated carbon fiber built therein. Also, the amount of heat generated during incineration is small.

In this embodiment, the electrodes 150 and 152 and the lead pieces 140 and 142 are separate from the filter case 62B, and are not fixed to the filter case 62B. Therefore, when the filter case 62B is pulled upward, the electrodes 150, 152 and the lead pieces 140, 142 are pulled out.
Separated from the filter case 62B only the case 38C
Can be taken out. Therefore, only the filter 40 and the filter case 62B can be discarded.

In this embodiment, when the cap 70 is removed from the cylindrical portion 68 and the lower container 32 is tilted, the spout 46
Water is poured out from the bottom cover 80A.
Is provided, water in the lower container 32 does not come into contact with the filter 40. Therefore, the purified water in the lower container 32 is reliably prevented from coming into contact with the filter 40 again.

This embodiment is extremely suitable, for example, when the tea bag 84 is put in the lower container 32 and the water that has been drained is produced in the lower container 32 by the purified water filtered by the filter 40. . That is, even if the lower container 32 is tilted, the wheat tea or the like in the lower container 32 does not come into contact with the filter 40, and the filter 40 is prevented from being contaminated with the wheat tea or the like.

In this embodiment, the bottom cover 80A includes
A drop port 82A is provided at a position opposite to the diametrical direction with respect to the opening 114. 82B is this drop port 82A
It is a small cover part that is inclined to cover the lower side and is provided so as to have a downward slope in the direction opposite to the opening 114 (rightward in FIG. 12).

The dropping port 82A is open toward the inner peripheral wall of the lower container 32 and is close to the inner peripheral wall of the lower container 32. Therefore, the clean water that has flowed through the filter 40 from the outlet 34 onto the small cover portion 82B is
It can be poured from the drop opening 82A onto the inner peripheral surface of the lower container 32. As a result, the water from the drop port 82A flows along the inner peripheral surface of the lower container 32 and gently flows down. That is, it is possible to prevent the water from the drop port 82A from directly falling on the water surface in the lower container 32 and making a loud noise.

Although the above embodiments relate to the pot type water purifier, the present invention can be applied to water purifiers other than the pot type water purifier.

[0060]

According to the water purifier of the first aspect, it is possible to prevent the generation of toxic gas when incinerating the filter case and to reduce the incineration temperature. Therefore, it is possible to protect the environment.

According to the water purifier of the second aspect, only the filter and the filter case can be discarded, and furthermore, when incinerating these, generation of toxic gas is prevented.

According to the water purifier of claim 3, the rubber packing becomes unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the amount of waste packing generated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall vertical cross-sectional view of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a water purifier according to an embodiment, in which an upper half is a plan view with a lid attached, and a lower half is a plan view with a lid removed.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the water purifier according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a usage example of the water purifier according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a water purifier according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a filter case used in a water purifier according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of the water purifier of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an installation portion of electrodes and lead pieces.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an installation portion of electrodes and lead pieces.

[Explanation of symbols]

 30, 30A, 30B, 30C Water purifier 32 Lower container 34 Outlet 36 Inlet 38, 38A Case 40 Filter 46 Pouring outlet 48 Cylindrical part 62, 62B Filter case 66 Lid 67 Opening 80, 80A Bottom cover 82, 82A Drop opening 110 First Cylindrical Section 112 Second Cylindrical Section 118 Ribs 140,142 Lead Pieces (Conductive Member) 150,152 Electrodes

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An unpurified water inlet is provided at the top,
It comprises a case having a clean water outlet at the bottom, a filter case which is installed in the case so as to be removable, and a filter which is built in the filter case. A water purifier characterized by being made of resin. 2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the filter is made of activated carbon fiber, and the water purifier includes an electrode for applying a potential to the activated carbon fiber and a conductive member for applying a voltage to the electrode. A water purifier, characterized in that the electrode and the conductive member are provided in a non-fixed state with respect to the filter case. 3. The water purifier according to claim 2, wherein the water purifier is a pot-type water purifier installed above a lower container for accumulating purified water, and the case has a tubular shape with upper and lower surfaces open, A water purifier characterized in that the filter case is in watertight direct contact with the inner peripheral surface of the case.