JP2009240993A - Water cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a user forgets an exchange period and forgets an appropriate exchange period while it is needed to periodically exchange a cartridge since unwanted substances are stored in a filter medium and filtration capability declines in the water cleaner of the type of housing the filter medium in the cartridge and exchanging the cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: The water cleaner has characters, symbols, numerals or their combinations indicating a period displayed on the surface part of the cartridge or a body (31, 32). By marking the characters, the symbols and numerals with waterproof ink of an oily pen or the like, the user clearly recognizes the cartridge exchange period at any time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water purifier using a cartridge containing a filter medium for purifying treated water.

  Although tap water and other waterworks are in a state suitable for beverages, there may be cases where unwanted substances such as residual chlorine, odors, and iron rust in water pipes remain. Then, the water purifier for removing these unnecessary materials is proposed.

  In such a water purifier, some filter media such as non-woven cloth, activated carbon, and ceramic are stored in a cartridge so that the cartridge can be replaced. Since such a cartridge filters out unnecessary materials in tap water, accumulation of unnecessary materials occurs. Therefore, the cartridge needs to be periodically replaced from the viewpoint of deterioration of water purification performance and hygiene.

  As for the current water purifier, as a method of visually checking the cartridge replacement time, the user himself / herself uses the dial replacement number to indicate the cartridge replacement month or the amount of water used measured by the flow meter installed in the water purifier. A method of displaying the image on a liquid crystal display or the like is employed (see Patent Document 1).

However, when these methods are adopted, the number of parts is increased and the cost is increased, and the flow meter type uses a power source such as a battery, so that the battery cost is increased even after purchase. In addition to the above, there are products that can be used as a guide for replacement by checking the degree of dirt on the hollow fiber membrane using a transparent window attached to the cartridge. However, in a place where tap water is less turbid, the hollow fiber membrane does not get dirty (it does not color), so a replacement guide Often not.
JP 2003-225655 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a specification that makes it easy to see a guide for cartridge replacement (months) and suppresses costs.

That is, the present invention
A cartridge having a filter medium disposed between a water inlet, a filtrate water outlet, and the water inlet and the filtrate water outlet;
A faucet attachment,
A water outlet through which the water entered from the faucet attachment part flows out;
A water outlet for the cartridge, which is connected to the water inlet of the cartridge in a liquid-tight manner.
A water purifier having a main body having a switching portion for switching between the water outlet and the cartridge water outlet, wherein water, characters, symbols, numbers, or a combination thereof representing a period are displayed on the surface of the main body or the cartridge. A container is provided.
In the present invention, “characters, symbols, and numbers representing periods” refer to characters, symbols, and numbers representing months, weeks, and days. For example, Jan. Feb. Mar. , Etc., or numbers such as 1, 2, 3, etc. representing the month may be used.

  According to the water purifier of the present invention, there is an effect that the user can easily know the replacement time of the cartridge by marking the display with an oil pen or the like.

  The external view of the cartridge type water purifier 1 of this invention is shown in FIG. The main body 10 of the water purifier of the present invention has a faucet mounting part 11, a water outlet 12, a cartridge water outlet 13, and a switching part 14. The cartridge 20 includes a water inlet 21, a filtered water outlet 22 and a filter medium 23 (inside the cartridge). The cartridge outlet 13 of the main body and the inlet 21 of the cartridge are liquid-tightly coupled.

  The faucet attachment portion 11 is attached to a faucet, and tap water flows from here into the water purifier main body. The flowing tap water can be directly discharged from the outlet 12 by the switching unit 14. When the switching unit 14 causes the tap water to flow out of the cartridge outlet 13, the tap water flows from the inlet 21 through the filter medium 23 and out of the filtered water outlet 22. The water flowing out from the filtered water outlet 22 has been purified and is filtered water from which unnecessary substances in tap water have been removed.

  Although the life of this cartridge varies depending on its capacity or size, it is desirable to replace it after use for several months to one year. This is because the filtered unnecessary material accumulates in the cartridge and the filtering ability is lost. Therefore, in order to clearly indicate the replacement time, for example, a number from 1 to 12 is displayed on the main body or the cartridge.

  Although the display of this number does not directly indicate the replacement time, it is possible to clearly indicate the replacement time using the displayed number. It is desirable that the number display be on the surface of the cartridge or the surface of the water purifier. This is because the user in use can recognize each time it is used.

  Further, when the main body has a cartridge storage portion for storing the cartridge, it may be inside the lid of the cartridge storage portion. This is because when the user is aware of the replacement of the cartridge, it can be confirmed immediately. Moreover, when the cartridge which has a cap is attached to the outer side of the main body, you may display inside the cap of a cartridge.

  Further, even on the surface of the cartridge or the main body, it may be a shaded portion in a normal use state. This is because it may be better not to see these numbers directly in terms of design.

  These numbers are preferably stamped when the main body or cartridge is molded with resin. This is because unlike printing, it is difficult to disappear. Moreover, you may stick the seal | sticker which coat | covered the printing surface with the transparent resin sheet and the number did not disappear. In this case, it is desirable that the seal is firmly bonded so as not to peel off.

  The user marks these numbers with a pen using a water-resistant ink such as an oil-based pen on the month when the cartridge is first used or scheduled to be replaced. Or you may mark the number of a cartridge use start month or the replacement scheduled month with a waterproof seal.

  Since the numbers, such as the case 4, the lid 3, and the cartridges (10, 30), are marked with ink such as an oil pen, it is preferable to use a material that is not affected by the solvent used for the ink. For example, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene resin, polypropylene, polybutene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene (FEP), ethylene / tetrafluoroethylene ( ETFE), fluorocarbon resins such as ethylene trifluoride chloride (PCTFE), ethylene / ethylene trifluoride chloride (ECTFE), vinylidene fluoride (PVDF), chlorinated resins such as polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidene chloride, polysulfone resins , Polyethersulfone resin, polyallylsulfone resin, polyphenyl ether resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin (ABS), acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyamide resin, poly Boneto resins, polyether ketone resins, it is preferable to use polyether ether ketone resin or the like alone or in combination.

  Specific examples of these displays are shown below, but the present invention is not limited to these. Referring to FIG. 1, numerals 1 to 12 are displayed on the top surface of the cartridge (reference numeral 31). FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of this display. The numbers are arranged in a circumferential shape at equal intervals, but may be arranged in an elliptical shape (see FIG. 2B).

  Referring again to FIG. 1, numbers may be displayed on the side of the cartridge (reference numeral 32). In this case, numbers are arranged in a square shape. FIG. 2C shows a specific example of this. When numbers are displayed on the side surfaces of the cartridge in this manner, it usually becomes a shadow of the field of view, and therefore it is often preferable in terms of design.

  Further, when a transparent window for visually recognizing the state of the filter medium in the cartridge is installed, numbers may be displayed on the window.

  Further, these numbers may be letters representing the month. An example is shown in FIG. Here, instead of the numbers 1 to 12 in FIG. 2A, characters such as “Jan.” (characters abbreviating January) and “Feb.” (characters abbreviating February) are displayed side by side.

  Fig.3 (a) has shown the water purifier which has a cartridge accommodating part. Since the cartridge is in the cartridge housing portion 16, it is not directly visible. A lid 17 is disposed in the cartridge housing portion. This lid can be easily removed. The main body is provided with the faucet attachment part 11, the switching part 14, the water outlet 12 and the filtered water outlet 22 as in the case of FIG.

  FIG. 3B shows specific examples of positions where numbers are displayed. Reference numeral 33 denotes an upper surface portion of the main body, which has a rectangular display as shown in FIG. This part is a preferred display location because it is usually hidden behind the faucet and difficult to see from the user, yet it is visible as soon as the viewpoint is changed.

  Reference numeral 34 represents a side surface of the lid 17, and reference numeral 35 represents an upper surface of the lid. Each can be displayed in the display format as shown in FIG. 2 (c), FIG. 2 (a), or (e). Further, the display as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2E may be performed on the back side of the lid 17.

  The present invention can be suitably used for a water purifier of a type that is directly connected to a faucet, and can also be suitably used for a water purifier of a type in which only a filter portion is installed under a sink.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the water purifier of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the water purifier of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water purifier 10 Main body 11 Faucet attachment part 12 Water outlet 13 Cartridge water outlet 14 Switching part 20 Cartridge 21 Water inlet 22 Filtrated water outlet

Claims (7)

A cartridge having a filter medium disposed between a water inlet, a filtrate water outlet, and the water inlet and the filtrate water outlet;
A faucet attachment,
A water outlet through which the water entered from the faucet attachment part flows out;
A water outlet for the cartridge, which is connected to the water inlet of the cartridge in a liquid-tight manner.
A water purifier having a main body having a switching portion for switching between the water outlet and the cartridge water outlet, wherein water, characters, symbols, numbers, or a combination thereof representing a period are displayed on the surface of the main body or the cartridge. vessel. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein a character, a symbol, a number, or a combination thereof representing the period is displayed on at least one of the cartridge or the main body. The said main body further has a cartridge accommodating part which accommodates the said cartridge, The character, symbol, number, or these combination showing the said period was displayed inside the lid | cover of the said cartridge accommodating part. Water purifier. The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein characters, symbols, numbers, or combinations thereof representing the period are displayed in a circular or elliptical shape. The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein characters, symbols, numbers, or combinations thereof representing the period are displayed in a square shape. The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a character, a symbol, a number, or a combination thereof representing the period is a stamped display. The water purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the character, symbol, number, or combination thereof representing the period is a display on which a printed sheet is attached.

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