ITMI20091622A1 - DISTRIBUTION DEVICE FOR WATER AND RELATIVE WATER DISPENSER - Google Patents

Description

"WATER DISPENSING DEVICE AND RELATIVE WATER DISPENSER"

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a water supply device and a related water dispenser [water supplier].

Various types of water dispensing devices are known. In general, a water dispensing device of this type comprises a water inlet to allow the entry of pressurized water and containment walls on which water outlets are obtained, so that the pressurized water inside the water dispensing device is able to exit the water dispensing device only through these water outlets, creating a jet of water that must be intercepted by a user, for example for a shower or for hand washing.

Among the various dispensing devices, the water dispensing devices for showers are known in particular, among which are known:

- a shower head type water dispensing device, which in use is substantially fixed, even if, for example, orientation or adjustment movements of the water jet are allowed;

- a water dispensing device of the shower handle [shower handle] type, which can be gripped and moved by the user, said shower being hydraulically communicating with the water mains to allow the supply of water, for example by means of the use of a hose.

Normally, a shower water dispensing device comprises a water dispenser, which forms a containment wall in which the water outlets are present, which essentially consist of through cavities, normally cylindrical, so as to give to the resulting water jet the form of a plurality of regular sprays.

Tap-type water dispensing devices are also known, to deliver a jet of water that must be intercepted by the hands of a user. A tap usually includes, in its terminal area, a water dispenser, for example of the jet breaker type, capable of mixing water and air and therefore reducing the flow of water delivered to reduce water waste.

A further distinction is known between water supply devices, which can be of one of the following types in particular:

- water dispensing device with fixed water dispenser: the water dispenser is rigidly associated with the remaining part of the water dispensing device and cannot be separated except by breaking the water dispensing device; for example, in some embodiments of a water dispensing device with a fixed water dispenser, the water dispenser is formed in a single piece with the body of the water dispensing device, or is welded to the remaining part of this water dispensing device; a particular type of fixed water dispenser is obtained by means of a wall comprising water outlets and rigidly fixed to the body of the water dispensing device;

- water dispensing device with removable water dispenser, in particular in which the water dispenser is essentially obtained from a wall placed to close the remaining part of the water dispensing device, for example, to the body of the water dispensing device; the water dispenser is associated with the remaining part of the water dispensing device, for example thanks to fixing means, such as screw fixing means that allow the dispenser to be fixed to the body; water dispensing devices with removable water dispenser are normally such that it is possible to associate a certain class of removable water dispensers with a complementary class of water dispensing devices.

It happens that, at the end of the water supply, the outlet holes remain wet, which facilitates the formation of limescale. The limestone, gradually formed, tends to obstruct said outlet holes, which, over time, tends to cause difficulty in getting out of water which requires periodic cleaning of the holes and / or the need to replace the dispensing device. water after a certain period of use.

A first purpose of the present invention is to prevent, or at least minimize, the formation of limescale at the outlet holes of the water dispensing device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a water dispensing device in which the water is dispensed in the form of a plurality of laminar jets and / or waterfalls, capable of giving the user a better sensation of comfort upon contact. with water.

In accordance with the invention, the aforesaid and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by a water dispensing device, in particular a hand shower or a tap, said water dispensing device not being of the type for a shower shower head, said water delivery device comprising containment walls and water outlets on at least a first containment wall, characterized in that at least one of said water outlets is defined by a sheet which can be opened elastically by the pressure of the water acting on said lamina.

This causes an elastic return force acting on said plate to counteract the pressure of the water which tends to make the plate open.

In this way, the water outlets, normally closed, are open due to the presence of pressurized water and close again, due to the elasticity, when the water pressure is no longer sufficient to keep these outlets open. water. In this way, the water does not stagnate at the water outlets. Thus, the formation and deposit of limescale cannot be verified, if not minimally: the closing of the water outlets ensures the absence, at the edges of these water outlets, of any residual water drops.

The water outlets are preferably multiple in number.

Preferably, the laminae are defined by notches made on said first containment wall. The notches, which make up the edges of the sheets, essentially also define the disposition of the outgoing water and, consequently, the disposition of the water during the fall.

Preferably, the foils have narrow ends. Preferably, the foils have rounded ends. Particularly preferred is the “beveled triangle” shape of the laminae.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first containment wall with the water outlets is obtained from a removable water dispenser. This allows a better standardization of the water dispensing device according to the invention, since it is possible to use a traditional water dispensing device of the type with removable water dispenser and to replace the traditional water dispenser with a dispenser. of the wall type and equipped with water outlets defined by sheets that can be opened elastically. The removability of the water dispenser therefore allows for its particularly advantageous replacement.

Preferably, the water dispensing device provides for a fixing of the water dispenser so that said water dispenser is housed inside an internal surface of the remaining part of the water dispensing device, in particular of the body of the water dispensing device.

Preferably, a ring nut locking means is provided for said water dispenser. The presence of a locking ring means allows to complete the fixing of said water dispenser. Preferably, the ring nut has cavities prepared at the water outlets. Preferably, the ring has a central hole for coupling with the water dispenser by means of a threaded means, such as a screw. It should be noted that, in this way, it is possible to use a minimum number of threaded means, using only one screw in a central position.

Preferably, the ring nut has an external area, in particular with a circular crown shape, for the reinforcement for the reinforcement of the water dispensing device: in this the external circular crown is placed in correspondence with the contact area between the dispenser of water and the remaining part of the water supply device, that is precisely where water infiltrations could occur. The result is thus obtained that the ring covers both locking functions of the water dispenser and reinforcing and sealing through a single component. It has been seen that the presence of said ring is able to make the shower watertight, preventing the accidental leakage of water from the contact area between the water dispenser and the remaining part of the water dispensing device.

Alternatively, an externally threaded ring nut can be used that can be inserted into an internal threaded surface of the remaining part of the water dispensing device.

Particularly advantageous is also the use of a gasket, in particular of the oring type, especially if alongside a ring nut, in particular of one of the aforementioned types.

According to a first particularly advantageous embodiment, the water dispensing device is of the shower type. Said hand shower can be gripped, moved and associated with a fixed element, for example fixed to a wall, known per se.

According to a second particularly advantageous embodiment, the water dispensing device is a tap. Preferably, said tap provides for the presence of a water dispenser according to the present invention.

According to the invention, a water dispenser is provided for a water dispensing device comprising water outlets, in which at least one of said water outlets is defined by an elastically movable plate, said water dispenser being removable type. In particular, the water outlets, which preferably are plural in number, can be opened elastically.

Preferably, this water dispenser is able to replace a traditional wall-mounted water dispenser, in case of compatibility of measures. Thus, the water dispenser can be associated with a traditional standard water dispensing device, by replacing the traditional water dispenser with the water dispenser according to the present invention, provided that it is made according to the same standard as the traditional water dispenser replaced.

As can be seen, the water dispenser according to the invention can be a component of a particular type of water dispensing device according to the present invention. or it can be thought of as a stand-alone product, sold as a replacement product capable of improving the performance of a traditional water dispensing device. It is also possible to make a water dispensing device with a fixed water dispenser, i.e. made from a containment wall rigidly fixed to the remaining part of the water dispensing device, for example by welding the water dispenser to the body. of the water supply device.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of preferred embodiments of the present invention, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a top view of a water dispenser according to the present invention;

- figure 2 shows a side view of the water dispenser in figure 1;

- Figure 3 shows a bottom view of a part of a water dispensing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

figure 4 shows a side view of the body of figure 3;

- figure 5 shows a top view of the body of figure 3;

- Figure 6 shows an internal view of a component of the water dispensing device according to the present invention;

figure 7 shows a side view of the component of figure 6;

figure 8 shows a third view of the component of figure 6;

- Figure 9 shows an external view of a part of a water dispensing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

- figure 10 shows a section view along the line X-X of figure 9.

With initial reference to figures 1-2, a water dispenser 101 according to the present invention is shown. The water dispenser 101 includes water outlets 112. Each of the water outlets 112 is advantageously obtained from a sheet 115, which is elastically movable; in the present embodiment, said elastic restoring force is due to the elastic properties of the material used, which is steel. The conformation of the laminae 115 is such that an external force acting on a lamina 115 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of Figure 1 entails an elastic force which opposes this external stress and tends to keep the lamina 115 essentially adjacent to the remaining part of the dispenser of water 101.

Preferably, each sheet 115 is defined by a notch 116, made on the body of the water dispenser 101.

Preferably, each lamina 115 has a narrow end 115a. In particular, the shape of each lamina is almost triangular, with a blunt vertex 115a.

Preferably, each lamina 115 has a rounded end 115a.

In the present embodiment, there are four water outlets 112; in particular, said water outlets are arranged in such a way that the ends 115a are facing the center of the water dispenser 101.

Advantageously, the water dispenser 101 is designed to be removably applied to a water dispensing device according to the present invention.

Preferably, the water dispenser 101 is of the wall type, so as to constitute a first containment wall of a water dispensing device of the present invention. Preferably, the water dispenser 101 is itself of laminar dimensions. In the particular example, the water dispenser 101 is essentially disk-shaped.

With reference to Figures 3-5, a part of a dispensing device 110 of the shower type is illustrated.

This water delivery device 110 includes a water inlet 111 for the entry of pressurized water from an external water network, for example through a flexible pipe.

This water dispensing device 110 further comprises a first containment wall constituted by the water dispenser 101. According to other embodiments of the same invention, the water dispenser 101 could also be replaced by another type of dispenser of water, provided that it is capable of acting as a containment wall such as to allow the water dispensing device 110 to have the characteristics of the present invention.

The water dispensing device 110, in the present embodiment, comprises a body 150, which in the present embodiment is made of plastic material, in particular of the externally chromed type. The body 150 advantageously comprises a handle portion 151, which, in the present embodiment, essentially has the shape of a bent cylinder. Advantageously there is a tube 153 which, in the present embodiment, runs through the inside of said handle 151.

Advantageously, there is a second containment wall 102. In the present embodiment, the second containment wall 102 is essentially in the shape of a cap. Preferably, the second containment wall 102 is capable of constituting a head portion 152, integrally formed with said handle portion 151.

Advantageously, the water dispensing device 110 is made to form a containment chamber 113, suitable for containing pressurized water. In the present embodiment, this containment chamber 113 is defined precisely by the containment wall 102 and communicates with the pipe 153, so that water entering the water network is able to pass from the water inlet 111 through the tube 153 to containment chamber 113.

Advantageously, the containment chamber 113 is closed by the first containment wall 101. Preferably, the water dispensing device 110 comprises an internal surface 154 capable of receiving the water dispenser 101, which can thus be inserted and possibly disconnected, later. Preferably, gasket means are provided, for example of the o-ring type, to make it difficult for the presence of water infiltrations in correspondence with the contact area between the first containment wall 101 and the second containment wall 102.

Advantageously, the water dispensing device 110 comprises a ring nut 155, which is capable of fixing the first containment wall 101 to the remaining part of the water delivery device 110. The ring nut 155 is advantageously made of metallic material, especially brass. The ring nut 155 is preferably equipped with an axial hole 156, preferably internally threaded, capable of accommodating a screw (not shown) capable of also being received in an axial hole (not shown but positioned in the position indicated with 180) made on the first containment wall 101 in a central position. Advantageously, the same screw is also inserted in a threaded hole 181, which, as preferable, is placed in a protuberance 182 (said protuberance 182 in the present case has three wings at 120 °), said protuberance 182 protruding from said second wall of containment 102: in this way, the water dispenser 101 is fixed to the remaining part of the water delivery device 110. However, this fastening is removable since, by unscrewing said screw, the containment wall 101 can be removed and if necessary, replace it with another containment wall, for example a different type of water dispenser, for example a traditional water dispenser with cylindrical through holes. Note that it is possible to replace the containment wall 101 according to the present invention with a water dispenser according to the known technique, provided it has the same dimensions. This allows to reach unusual levels of standardization, especially due to the fact that a standard water dispensing device could be subjected to an "upgrade" by applying a simple spare part, represented by the water dispenser 101 .

In the present embodiment, the ring nut 155 has a circular crown 157, in the present case formed as a piece with radial elements 158, which in the present case are in number corresponding to the water outlets 112, i.e. four. These radial elements 158 are able to be placed in substantial overlap with the diametrical axes 160, mutually perpendicular, of figure 1. This is a way of making circular sectors 159 hollow, in the present case in the number of four, which allow the facing outwards of the water outlets 112 of the water dispenser 101.

Advantageously, the fixing between the ring nut 155 and the remaining part of the water dispensing device 110, in particular with the body 150, is of the removable type, so as to allow disassembly of the ring nut 155 in a simple and fast way.

Advantageously, the presence of the circular crown 157 allows to reinforce the seal of the water dispensing device 110, precisely in correspondence with the contact area between the water dispenser 101 and the remaining part of the water dispensing device 110, preferably in correspondence with said gasket.

Advantageously, therefore, the ring nut 155 covers both the locking functions of the water dispenser 101 and at the same time reinforcing and sealing. Preferably, the ferrule 155 has an axial protuberance 190 in the form of a solid of rotation obtained by rotation of a trapezoid.

According to the preferred use of the present hand shower, the water must fall downwards and, to take the shape given by the notches made in the first containment wall 101, said water outlets must be placed in an underlying position, while the second wall containment 102 must essentially act as lateral water containment. Therefore, the first containment wall 101, which has the water outlets 112, can be defined as a lower containment wall and the second containment wall 102 can be defined as an upper containment wall.

The containment walls 101, 102 are mutually fixed so as to allow to obtain a watertight seal which prevents the passage of water.

Advantageously, the plates 115 of the water outlets 112 are such as to be:

- closed, when the water pressure inside the shower 110 is not such as to allow the opening of these foils 115;

- open due to the pressure of the water inside the containment chamber 113, when the pressure of the water inside the shower 110 is such as to allow the opening of these plates 115: the pressurized water pushes the plates 115 until they open, so as to come out of the shower 110;

- closed again, when the pressure of the water inside the shower 110 is not such as to allow the opening of the foils 115, for example following a closing command set by the user, when he decides to stop dispensing water. Advantageously, the pressure of the water inside the containment chamber 113 is opposed to an elastic return force acting on the plates 115. In this way, in fact, the reclosing of the water outlets 112 is guaranteed. there is the presence of water particles in the area of the water outlets 112, if not possibly to an infinitesimal extent, and thus the formation of limestone on these water outlets 112 is avoided.

Advantageously, each lamina 115 is defined by the presence of a relative notch 116 made on the first containment wall 101; In the present embodiment, each notch is made by laser cutting, but other methods could be employed. In the present embodiment, the notch 116 defines two edge sides 115b interspersed by one end 115a. This is particularly advantageous because it allows the realization of the elastic return force without the use of further elastic means, but simply thanks to the elastic properties of the steel that constitutes the lower wall 101. It should be noted that the elastic properties of the steel are better than to those of brass, which is used in the known art.

Advantageously, the laminae 115 have narrow ends 115a. It has in fact been noticed, surprisingly, that this shape allows a better distribution of water, which tends to come out of the star-shaped laminar rather than filiform type. It has also been seen that, during the fall of the water, it tends to take on a waterfall shape, which gives a more pleasant sensation of contact than the traditional thread-like jet.

Not only that, but it has also been seen that the water tends to descend uniformly along the entire edge of each sheet 115.

Advantageously, the laminae 115 have rounded ends 115a. This presented, in the tests carried out, a more uniform distribution of water, since the foils 115 do not have, in this way, preferential opening sides that occur when the tips of the foils are pointed.

A further embodiment of the same invention is obtained by means of a tap 210 shown partially in Figures 9-10, in which a body 250 of said tap 210 is shown, partially in Figures 1-2, in which the dispenser d water according to the present invention which is applied to the body 250 of said tap 210. The tap 210 comprises a water inlet 211 which receives incoming water from a mixing system of a known type, whether it is of the cartridge type or with two screws, and of the known type, therefore not illustrated in this document.

The tap 210 includes a first containment wall, which in the present case is the water dispenser 101, and a second containment wall, which in the present case is the body 250.

Advantageously, the present tap 210 is made of steel.

The tap 210 comprises water outlets which in the present case are constituted by the water outlets of the water dispenser 101. At least one of said water outlets 112 is defined by a sheet 115 which can be opened by the effect of the water pressure as opposed to an elastic return force acting on said lamina 115.

It should be noted that, according to the present embodiment, the first containment wall 101 can be defined as a lower wall, while the second containment wall 205 can be defined as an upper wall.

Since the present embodiment uses the same type of water dispenser 101, of the wall-mounted and removable type, it has the same characteristics as in the previous example, both as regards the shape of the water outlets 112, and for regarding the functioning of the water outlets 112.

The water dispenser 101 is in the present case blocked by means of a locking means of the ring nut type, comprising a ring nut 255 which in the present case is of the ring type and is externally threaded and screwable to an internal wall of a protruding lip 251 of the body 250. However, in a particularly advantageous alternative embodiment, the ring nut could be of the type according to the previous embodiment.

The operation of the tap 210 is, for the purposes of this description, substantially the same as the operation of the hand shower 110, such that the water outlets 112 are:

- closed, when the water pressure inside the tap 210 is not such as to allow the opening of these foils 115;

- open due to the pressure of the water inside the containment chamber 213, when the pressure of the water inside the tap 210 is such as to allow the opening of these plates 115: the pressurized water pushes the plates 215 until they open, so as to come out of tap 210;

- closed again, when the water pressure inside the tap 210 is not such as to allow the blades 115 to open, for example following a closing command set by the user, when he decides to stop dispensing water. Advantageously, the cross-sectional area of the water inlet is greater than the sections obtainable by opening the water outlets. In this way it is possible to allow a uniform supply of water between all water outlets. This is valid both for the hand shower and for the tap, and for other embodiments of the same invention.

It has been experimentally seen that the arrangement of lamellar outlets is able to make one have a more pleasant sensation of contact with water.

The simplicity of production of the water dispensing devices according to the present invention constitutes a further advantage of the present invention.

It is important to note that the construction parameters of the water supply device according to the invention are, at least in principle, to be sized with reference to the water supply pressure. Therefore, the shower head is built according to parameters such that the elastic recall force to which the water outlets are subjected is able to allow the opening and closing of the water outlets in relation to the water supply pressure. wait. However, it has been noted that, surprisingly, the parameters of the present embodiment (thickness of the first containment wall equal to 0.8 mm and diameter equal to 90 mm) have shown excellent functionality at the delivery pressures typical of an environment domestic, in particular between 2.5 bar and 4.5 bar, where 1 bar = 100000 Pa.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Water dispensing device (110; 210), in particular a hand shower or a tap, said water dispensing device (110; 210) not being of the type for a shower head, said water dispensing device (110; 210) comprising containment walls (101, 102; 101, 250) and water outlets (112) on at least one first containment wall (101), characterized in that at least one of said water outlets ( 112) is defined by a lamina (115) which can be opened elastically by the effect of the water pressure acting on said lamina (115). 2. Water delivery device according to claim 1, in which said sheet (115) is obtained from a notch (116) made on said first containment wall (101). 3. Water delivery device according to claim 2, wherein said lamina (115) has a narrow end (115a). 4. Water dispensing device according to one of claims 2 or 3, in which said sheet (115) has a rounded end (115a). 5. Water dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, in which said first containment wall (101) is a removable water dispenser (101). 6. Water dispensing device according to one of claim 5, in which a ring nut locking means (155; 255) is provided for said water dispenser (101). 7. Water dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein said ring nut locking means (155; 255) comprises an external sector (157), in particular of the circular crown type, located in correspondence with the contact area between the water dispenser (101) and the remaining part of the water dispensing device (110). 8. Water delivery device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said water delivery device is a shower water delivery device of the hand shower type (110). 9. Water dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims, in which said water dispensing device is a tap (210). 10. Water dispenser (101) for a water dispensing device (110; 210) comprising water outlets (112), wherein at least one of said water outlets (112) is defined by a foil ( 115) elastically movable, said water dispenser (101) being of the removable type.