Pressure container

Abstract

A pressure container includes a first casing, a second casing, and a sealing member. A deformable membrane is mounted in the first casing, defining a water chamber that is communicated with a water inlet in the first casing. An air chamber is delimited by the deformable membrane and the second casing. The sealing member includes an inner ring, an outer ring surrounding the inner ring, and a connecting ring connecting the inner ring with the outer ring. The inner ring, the outer ring, and the connecting ring together define a first groove and a second groove respectively on two sides of the connecting ring. A flange on an end of the deformable membrane and an open end of the first casing are sealingly received in the first groove. An open end of the second casing is sealingly received in the second groove.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pressure container. In particular, the present invention relates to a pressure container for storing purified water.

2. Description of the Related Art

Reverse osmosis is one of the most popular methods for purifying water, as it may remove more than 95% of salts, heavy metal, and chemical residuals in water. Thus, reverse osmosis is widely used in biochemical pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, electrical manufacturing processes, household use, etc.

The purified water obtained by reverse osmosis for household use is often not immediately used. Therefore, the purified water is stored in a pressure container for subsequent use. The pressure container is communicated with a faucet or the like and provides a pressure for forcing the purified water out of the pressure container. A typical pressure container includes a first casing and a second casing. The first casing includes an inlet in an end thereof. A membrane is mounted along an inner periphery of the first casing, with a chamber for receiving purified water being defined between a face of the membrane adjacent to the inlet and the first casing. In other words, a water chamber for receiving purified water is defined in a side of the membrane, and an air chamber is defined in the other side of the membrane. Before use, the air chamber is filled with air to create a pressure of about 7-10 psi. When purified water is filled into the water chamber, the membrane deforms and thus causes a reduction in the volume of the air chamber, creating a pressurized space. The larger the amount of purified water received in the water chamber, the larger the pressure in air chamber. In other words, the force for pushing the purified water out of the water chamber is larger. Maintaining pressure in the pressure container is one of the most important things.

The first casing and the second casing are usually bonded together by simple high-frequency waves or heat-fusion, which fails to provide a reliable airtight effect. As a result, the pressure in the air chamber of the pressure container significantly drops within a short time. Inflating air into the air chamber of the pressure container is frequently required. Further, leakage of air occurs if heat fusion is carried out at a low temperature. Further, leakage is apt to occur in the casings made of polypropylene that has a sparse molecular structure. Further, an airtight section that joints the first casing with the second casing is 8-12 mm in length, which is too short to effectively prevent leakage of air molecules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a pressure container comprises a first casing, a second casing, and a sealing member. The first casing includes a closed first end and an open second end. The closed first end of the first casing includes an inlet through which water flows. A deformable membrane is mounted to an inner periphery of the first casing, defining a water chamber that is in a side of the deformable membrane and that is communicated with the inlet of the first casing. The deformable membrane includes a flange on an end thereof

The second casing includes a closed first end and an open second end. An air chamber is delimited by the deformable membrane and the second casing. The sealing member includes an inner ring, an outer ring surrounding the inner ring, and a connecting ring connecting the inner ring with the outer ring. The inner ring, the outer ring, and the connecting ring together define a first groove and a second groove respectively on two sides of the connecting ring.

The flange of the deformable membrane and the open second end of the first casing are sealingly received in the first groove. The open second end of the second casing is sealingly received in the second groove.

The outer ring includes a plurality of engaging grooves and the open second end of the first casing includes a plurality of engaging members respectively engaged in the engaging grooves. The open second end of the second casing includes a plurality of engaging members respectively engaged in the engaging grooves.

The first casing includes a plurality of ribs on an outer periphery of the open second end of the first casing. The pressure container further includes a covering layer that covers the ribs and that is flush with an outer face of the outer ring. The second casing includes a plurality of ribs on an outer periphery of the open second end of the second casing. The pressure container further includes another covering layer that covers the ribs of the second casing and that is flush with the outer face of the outer ring.

A lining is mounted along an inner periphery of the second casing and an inner face of an end wall of the closed first end of the second casing. The lining is preferably made of nylon and the second casing is preferably made of polypropylene. The lining is formed by means of injection molding and the second casing is then formed and bonded with the lining by means of injection molding.

The second casing includes a valve, allowing inflation of air into the air chamber. The flange of the deformable membrane includes a protrusion on a side thereof The open second end of the first casing includes an annular groove in an end face thereof for fittingly receiving the protrusion.

Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pressure container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pressure container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the pressure container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating use of the pressure container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a pressure container in accordance with the present invention comprises a first casing 1, a second casing 2, and a sealing member 4. The first casing 1 can be made of polypropylene and is substantially bowl-like. The first casing 1 includes a closed first end and an open second end. An inlet 11 is defined in an end wall of the first end of the first casing 1 and can be sealed by a removable cap 12. The first casing 1 further includes a plurality of engaging members 13 on an outer periphery of the second end of the first casing 1.

The second casing 2 can be made of polypropylene and is substantially bowl-like. The second casing 2 includes a closed first end and an open second end. A valve 21 is defined in an end wall of the first end of the second casing 2, allowing inflation of air into the pressure container. The second casing 2 further includes a plurality of engaging members 22 on an outer periphery of the second end of the second casing 2. A lining 23 with excellent airtight effect is provided along an inner periphery and an inner face of the end wall of the second casing 2. In manufacture, the lining 23 is firstly formed by injection molding and the second casing 2 is then formed around and bonded with the lining 23 by injection molding, providing an integral structure. The lining 23 is preferably made of nylon.

The sealing member 4 is mounted between the second end of the first casing 1 and the second end of the second casing 2 and provides a sealing effect for the pressure container. The sealing member 4 includes an inner ring 41, an outer ring 42 surrounding and spaced from the inner ring 41, and a connecting ring 43 connected between an intermediate portion of an inner periphery of the outer ring 42 and an intermediate portion of an outer periphery of the inner ring 41. The inner ring 41 and the outer ring 42 extend parallel to each other, and the connecting ring 43 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extending directions of the inner ring 41 and the outer ring 42. Preferably, the inner ring 41, the second ring 42, and the connecting ring 43 are integrally formed with a mixture of polypropylene and glass fiber. The inner ring 41 including a first section 410 and a second section 411 respectively on two sides of the connecting ring 43. A first groove 44 is defined between the first section 410, the outer ring 42, and the connecting ring 43. A second groove 45 is defined between the second section 411, the outer ring 42, and the connecting ring 43. Further, the outer ring 42 includes a plurality of engaging grooves 420.

A membrane 3 made of rubber or the like is mounted along an inner periphery and an inner face of the end wall of the first casing 1. The membrane 3 is also substantially bowl-like and includes a flange 31 on an outer periphery of an open end thereof.

Referring to FIG. 3, the second end of the first casing 1 is mounted into the first groove 44, with the flange 30 of the membrane 3 being also received in the first groove 44. The second end of the second casing 2 is mounted into the second groove 45. Each engaging member 13 of the first casing 1 and each engaging member 22 of the second casing 2 are engaged with the associated engaging grooves 420. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the end face of the second end of the first casing 1 is in intimate contact with the flange 30 of the membrane 3. A sealing effect is provided. The flange 30 of the membrane 3 includes an annular protrusion 31 on a side thereof The end face of the second end of the first casing 1 includes an annular groove 15 for fittingly receiving the annular protrusion 31, providing an improved sealing effect.

The first casing 1 and the second casing 2 are engaged with the sealing member 4 by a hydraulic device exerting forces on the outer face of the end wall of the first casing 1 and the outer face of the end wall of the second casing 2. Thereafter, a covering layer 46 of a mixture of polypropylene and glass fiber are formed around an outer periphery of the second end of the first casing 1 by means of injection molding. The covering layer 46 has an end in intimate contact with the outer ring 42 and is flush with the outer face of the outer ring 42, providing a further sealing effect while providing an aesthetically pleasing effect. Preferably, the outer periphery of the second end of the first casing 1 includes a plurality of ribs 14 to provide an improved bonding effect with the covering layer 46 and to provide an improved sealing effect.

Similarly, a covering layer 47 of a mixture of polypropylene and glass fiber are formed around an outer periphery of the second end of the second casing 2 by means of injection molding. The covering layer 47 has an end in intimate contact with the outer ring 42 and is flush with the outer face of the outer ring 42, providing a further sealing effect while providing an aesthetically pleasing effect. Preferably, the outer periphery of the second end of the second casing 2 includes a plurality of ribs 24 to provide an improved bonding effect with the covering layer 47 and to provide an improved sealing effect.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, an air chamber is defined by the membrane 3 and the lining 23. Referring to FIG. 4, when purified water enters the pressure container via the inlet 11 of the first casing 1, the membrane 3 is deformed, forming a water chamber. Meanwhile, the volume of the air chamber is reduced and the pressure in the air chamber is increased. The larger the amount of purified water received in the water chamber, the larger the pressure in air chamber. In other words, the force for pushing the purified water out of the water chamber is larger.

As mentioned above, the sealing member 4 provides grooves 44 and 45 for sealingly receiving the open ends of the first and second casings 1 and 2 and the flange 31 of the membrane 3. The sealing member 4 is formed by means of high-temperature (about 200-250° C.) heat fusion, which is capable of avoiding air leakage. The ribs 14 and 24 of the first and second casings 1 and 2 and the covering layers 46 and 47 improve the sealing effect. The lining 23 made of an airtight material (e.g., nylon) and the second casing 2 (made of, e.g., polypropylene) are integrally formed to further improve the sealing effect. The sealing effect is further improved by the engaging members 13 and 22 of the first and second casings 1 and 2 and the engaging grooves 420 of the outer ring 42. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the overall effective sealing length D of the pressure container is about 16-24 mm, which is twice as that of the conventional design, providing improved sealing effect.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A pressure container comprising:

a first casing including a closed first end and an open second end, the closed first end of the first casing including an inlet through which water flows;

a deformable membrane mounted to an inner periphery of the first casing, defining a water chamber that is in a side of the deformable membrane and that is communicated with the inlet of the first casing, the deformable membrane including a flange on an end thereof;

a second casing including a closed first end and an open second end, an air chamber being delimited by the deformable membrane and the second casing;

a sealing member including an inner ring, an outer ring surrounding the inner ring, and a connecting ring connecting the inner ring with the outer ring, the inner ring, the outer ring, and the connecting ring together defining a first groove and a second groove respectively on two sides of the connecting ring, the flange of the deformable membrane and the open second end of the first casing being sealingly received in the first groove, the open second end of the second casing being sealingly received in the second groove.

2. The pressure container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer ring includes a plurality of engaging grooves, the open second end of the first casing including a plurality of engaging members respectively engaged in the engaging grooves.

3. The pressure container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer ring includes a plurality of engaging grooves, the open second end of the second casing including a plurality of engaging members respectively engaged in the engaging grooves.

4. The pressure container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the open second end of the second casing includes a plurality of engaging members respectively engaged in the engaging grooves.

5. The pressure container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first casing includes a plurality of ribs on an outer periphery of the open second end of the first casing, the pressure container further including a covering layer that covers the ribs and that is flush with an outer face of the outer ring.

6. The pressure container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second casing includes a plurality of ribs on an outer periphery of the open second end of the second casing, the pressure container further including a covering layer that covers the ribs and that is flush with an outer face of the outer ring.

7. The pressure container as claimed in claim 5 wherein the wherein the second casing includes a plurality of ribs on an outer periphery of the open second end of the second casing, the pressure container further including a covering layer that covers the ribs of the second casing and that is flush with the outer face of the outer ring.

8. The pressure container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressure container further includes a lining mounted along an inner periphery of the second casing and an inner face of an end wall of the closed first end of the second casing.

9. The pressure container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lining is made of nylon.

10. The pressure container as claimed in claim 9 wherein the second casing is made of polypropylene.

11. The pressure container as claimed in claim 8 wherein the lining is formed by means of injection molding and the second casing is then formed and bonded with the lining by means of injection molding.

12. The pressure container as claimed in claim 9 wherein the lining is formed by means of injection molding and the second casing is then formed and bonded with the lining by means of injection molding.

13. The pressure container as claimed in claim 10 wherein the lining is formed by means of injection molding and the second casing is then formed and bonded with the lining by means of injection molding.

14. The pressure container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second casing includes a valve, allowing inflation of air into the air chamber.

15. The pressure container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flange of the deformable membrane includes a protrusion on a side thereof, the open second end of the first casing including an annular groove in an end face thereof for fittingly receiving the protrusion.