AU2006100187A5 - Plumbing Outlet Fitting - Google Patents

Description

P/00/009A Section 29

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION Invention Title: PLUMBING OUTLET FITTING Applicant: NEOPERL GmbH The invention is described in the following statement: The present application is a divisional application from Australian patent application number 2003258592 the entire' disclosure of which is incorp'orated herein by reference.

00 PLUTMBING OUTLET FITTING The present invention relates to a sanitary outflow armature having a liquid guide- IND that opens into a fitting outlet, in the area of which a plumbing functional unit in the form of an insertion cartridge is provided.

Various jet regulators have been created that are provided as plumbing functional units in the area of the fitting outlet of a sanitary outflow armature, and that atae used to produce a soft, non-spraying jet of water. The known jet regulators can regularly be inserted into a sleeve-shaped outlet nozzle that can be screwed onto thie end of the fitting outlet.

However, the use of a sleeve-shaped outlet nozzle that is to be screwed onto the fitting outlet requires an expensive macbluing of the outlet fitting, and, in addition, limits the structural clearance in the design of such an outlet fitting. In addition, the outlet nozzle, manufactured as a separate metal collar, usually chromed, results in significant additional costs.

In particular in high-quality fittings, which must also satisfy high aesthetic demands, the fitting and the associated nozzle must be jointly ground, polished, and subsequently chromed or painted together, at high expense, in order to achieve the smoothest possible transition between the fitting and the nozzle without color deviations and without disturbing gaps, and in order to ensure that the diameter is identical.

SThe gaps that are standard with the use of conventional nozzles between Sthe fitting and the nozzle that screws onto the outlet end of the fitting can not only disturb the optical appearance of such a fitting, but can also form Sa flaw from a hygienic point of view due to the collection of dirt.

Therefore, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a sanitary outflow armature that can be used with a jet regulator or with another 00 plumbing functional unit without essential limitation of the structural clearance.

ID In the sanitary outflow armature of the type named above, the solution of this problem according to the present invention is in particular that the inner diameter of the liquid guide is adapted to the insertion cartridge, at least in the opening area of the fitting outlet, and that the insertion cartridge can be inserted into the fitting outlet from the opening side, and is held therein in removable fashion.

The functional unit, in the form of an insertion cartridge, can be inserted into the fitting outlet from the opening side and is held therein in 2o removable fashion. For the acceptance of this insertion cartridge, the inner diameter of the liquid guide of the outlet fitting is adapted to the insertion cartridge at least in the area of the opening of the fitting outlet.

Thus, an outlet nozzle, and its additional significant costs, can be omitted; up to now, such nozzles have been associated with an overly high portion of the overall costs of an outlet fitting. Because the screwing on of such an outlet nozzle can be omitted, and because such an outlet nozzle also does not have to be processed together with the outlet fitting for color matching, the manufacture of the sanitary outflow armature is simplified significantly. Because a nozzle can be omitted, the gap that is typically present between the nozzle and the outlet fitting when conventional nozzles are used, and that has a disturbing optical W:PieisX738861\738861_spci 0902064oc effect and conflicts with desirable hygienic goals, can be avoided. The plumbing functional unit is held removably in the fitting outlet of the sanitary outflow ro) armature, and can thus easily be detached and removed even by unskilled users fo r service work, such as for example the removal of dirt or for decalcification. The omission of an outlet nozzle also increases the structural clearance in the design of San outlet fitting, so that for example it is also possible to use colored outlet fittings Cq without having to manufacture special nozzles having the corresponding color, at additional cost.

It is useful if the insertion cartridge is situated in the fitting outlet with at least th e predominant part of its longitudinal extension, preferably with its complete longitudinal extension. If the insertion cartridge is situated in the fitting outlet with its entire longitudinal extension, it can be housed in the fitting outlet so as to be hidden, practically invisible from the outside, and secure against manipulation. From there, the insertion cartridge can be detached for example with the aid of a crown key or an open wrench, or some other removal tool.

The insertion cartridge can be held immediately in the fitting outlet without additional adapters. Another specific embodiment according to the present invention provides that the insertion cartridge is held in the fitting outlet by means of a preferably sleeve-shaped intermediate holder.

In order to facilitate the installation of the insertion cartridge in the fitting outlet and to determine the position of the insertion cartridge there, it is useful if the insertion cartridge or the intermediate holder can: be inserted into the fitting outlet up to an insertion stop.

00 Here it is possible for the intermediate holder, which can be inserted into the fitting outlet from the opening side, to be held in the fitting outlet in removable or in nonremovable fashion.

It is advantageous if the intermediate holder is held in the fitting outlet by means of a glued connection, a clamp connection, a locking connection, and/or a screw connection, and/or through pressing, clutching, or wedging. Here it is advantageous if the intermediate holder is sealed against the inner peripheral wall of the fitting outlet, preferably around the complete periphery. The sealing of the intermediate holder in the outlet fitting can take place by means of additional seals, such as for example an 0-ring or a flat seal, seals formed onto the intermediate holder, or with the aid of connecting means, for example the adhesive means used in the gluing of the intermediate holder.

It is advantageous if the insertion cartridge is held in the fitting outlet or in the intermediate holder by means of a clamp connection, a locking connection, or a screw connection. Thus, the insertion cartridge can for example be held in the outlet fitting or the intermediate holder by a one-threaded or multi-threaded screw connection, or by snap connections; removable connections of this sort enable a rapid and simple assembly and disassembly of the functional unit as needed.

It is useful if the insertion cartridge is also sealed against the intermediate holder or against the inner peripheral wall of the fitting outlet. Such a sealing of the functional unit against the intermediate holder or against the inner peripheral wall of the fitting outlet can for example take place by means of an 0-ring, a flat seal, or other known seals.

00 A preferred specific embodiment according to the present invention provides that at least one annular seal, preferably at least one 0-ring, is provided for the sealing between the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder on the one hand and' the outlet fitting on the other hand.

According to a further development of the present invention, it is provided that the insertion cartridge or the intermediate holder bears an outer thread that can be screwed into an inner threading in the fitting outlet, and that the outer thread and the inner thread. are dimensioned and situated such that when the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder are screwed onto one another, the threadcE grasp one another in a relative position of the outlet fitting on the one hand and the insertion cartridge and/or intermediate holder on the other hand in which the 0ring, or similar annular seal, provided on the outer periphery of the insertion cartridge or of the intermediate holder does not yet make frictional contact with th3 outlet fitting. Through the situation of the annular seal, which seals the insertion cartridge radially in the fitting housing, during assembly and disassembly a clear advantage can be made use of: during assembly, there is a significantly greater feeling for finding the threads, because the annular seal is not pressed radially until the thread has already been found. The pressing of the annular seal produces a large amount of friction, which would otherwise make the feeling for the assembly significantly more difficult. During disassembly, the selected situation of the annular seal has the advantage that the insertion cartridge is rotated out of the screwed connection with the fitting outlet with the aid of the insertion and removal tool. As long as the annular seal is still in the pressed state, there is a forced axial movement through the threading. The threading does not come out of engagement until the annular seal has left the fitting seat in the axial direction. This has the r- 00 decisive advantage that the functional unit, constructed as a hidden insertion 0 cartridge and assembled with an intermediate holder if necessary, can be removed from the fitting completely by rotational movement, without requiring either Sadditional axial drawing due to the influence of friction or the support of water pressure.

However, it is also possible for at least one peripheral seal to be formed in one piece onto the insertion cartridge; here, in the sealing region the insertion cartridge can be constructed not only as a multi-component injection-molded part, but in particular also as a single-component injection-molded part.

A particularly advantageous development according to the present invention, warranting separate protection, therefore provides that the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder are connected in one piece with at least one peripheral seal between the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder on the one hand and the outlet fitting on the other hand. The one-piece formed-on seal, provided on the insertion cartridge and/or on the intermediate holder, prevents creeping or leakage currents of the liquid, etc., flowing through the outlet fitting between the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder on the one hand and the outlet fitting on the other hand.

It can be advantageous if the final edge region at the flow inlet side of the insertion cartridge and/or of the intermediate holder is constructed as a sealing profile. Suc.

a design can also be constructed with a comparatively broad final edge without excessive limitation of the inner external cross-section. This comparatively broad final edge on the insertion cartridge and/or on the intermediate holder can 0_ subsequently be used very successfully to form a comparatively complex sealing profile.

In the realization of the sealing profile, it is useful if the sealing profile has at least one surface seal and/or at least one lip seal These shapes of the sealing profile can form an effective seal together with the counterstop of the outlet fitting if the sealing profile contacts the counterstop, thus exerting a linear and/or surface pressure on the sealing profile.

In order to prevent excessive deformation of the sealing profile, it is useful if the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder have at the flow inlet side an insertion stop that, in its position of use, limits a deformation of the sealing profile.

Otherwise, the sealing profile could be damaged or excessively deformed, which could lead to leakage in the area between the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder and the outlet fitting, and thus to corresponding creeping currents.

In the formation of the sealing profile, it is advantageous if the sealing profile has at least one seal having a sealing profile base that is constructed as an insertion stop. The sealing profile can here be situated on the upper limiting surface of the sealing profile base. The insertion stop can act to limit, for example, the screw-in depth, if the insertion cartridge or 'the intermediate holder is fastened on the fitting via a screw connection. If the screwing is taking place manually without the use of, t tool, the insertion stop can transmit a feeling of solidity of the screwed connection, in that the contact of the counterstop against the fitting can be felt through the insertion stop.

00 In order to enable the use of as large a surface as possible of the inner diameter of the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder, or to avoid unnecessary narrowing of the inner diameter, it is useful if the sealing profile, and, if necessary, its insertion stop, works together with a final edge area of the outlet fitting that limits the inner diameter, said final edge area simultaneously acting as a counterstop for the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder.

Here, for the functioning of the insertion stop it is particularly advantageous if the insertion stop is situated so as to be adjacent to the sealing profile in the radial direction. In this way, the insertion stop can receive precisely those forces that could possibly damage the sealing profile. Moreover, in this way a space-saving situation of the insertion stop and of the sealing profile on the inner diameter of tho jet regulator can be achieved.

A simple and nonetheless effective sealing construction of the sealing profile is achieved if the sealing profile has at least one annular peripheral sealing lip. This sealing lip can either be constructed in elastic, fleible fashion, thereby being adapted to the counterstop in the outlet fitting during the fastening of the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder, or the sealing lip can be fashioned in such a way that deformation is possible only with difficulty, so that during the fastening the sealing lip achieves a seal only through a surface pressure by the counterstop of the outlet fitting. These two possibilities can be combined with a plurality of sealing lips in various ways.

A particularly advantageous construction of the sealing profie provides that the sealing profile has at least two annular peripheral sealing lips that become effective OC0 one after the other with increasing insertion pressure acting on the jet regulator.

This stepped construction of the sealing profile can have the effect that in the case of failure of one sealing lip, the adjacent sealing lips of the sealing profile become effective. Moreover, by tightening the component screwed onto the outlet fitting, the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder, an insertion pressure is exerted in such a way that at least additional sealing of the sealing profile can also become effective.

A further construction with annular peripheral sealing lips that become effective one after the other provides that these sealing lips have different heights. In this way, after longer use of the insertion cartridge and/or of the intermediate holder it is possible to maintain the sealing effect for a long period of time by tightening the component screwed onto the outlet fitting. If the highest sealing lip is already somewhat damaged or worn or has become inflexible, the next-highest sealing lip can again achieve the sealing effect after further tightening. Moreover, small unevenness of the counterstop of the outlet fitting can be compensated. Here, it can be advantageous if the sealing lips have stepped heights, and if the highest sealing lip forms the innermost or outermost seal of the sealing profile.

It is possible for the component of the insertion cartridge and/or of the intermediate holder having the seal to be manufactured as a multi-component injection-molded part, and for this component to be made of a flexible and/or elastic material in the area of the at least one seal. For the simple recycling of the material that forms the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder, it is however useful if the seal and the component, connected with it in one piece, of the insertion cartridge and/or of the intermediate holder are manufactured from the same, preferably food-safe, material. This can simplify the manufacturing outlay, and the tool costs for an 0 0 injection-molding tool that may be required can be kept comparatively low.

0 A preferred development according to the present invention provides that the plumbing functional unit is fashioned as a jet regulator.

Additional features of the present invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, in connection with the claims and the drawings. The individual features can be realized individually or in combination in a specific embodiment according to the present invention.

Shown are: Figure 1 a sanitary outflow armature in the area of its fitting outlet; from the exploded cross-sectional view it can be seen that a plumbing functional unit in the form of a jet regulator has been placed removably into the fitting outlet, Figure 2 an outlet fitting comparable to that shown in Figure 1, likewise shown in an exploded cross-sectional view, in which the insertion cartridge is however held not immediately, but rather mediately in the fitting outlet via an intermediate holder, Figure 3 a sanitary outflow armature in whose fitting outlet a plumbing functional unit in the form of an insertion cartridge is held in removable fashion by means of an intermediate holder, IN Figure 4 a sanitary outflow armature in which the plumbing functional unit, in the form of an insertion cartridge, can be placed removably into the fitting outlet without an intermediate holder, Figure 5 a sanitary outflow armature having an insertion cartridge that can be placed into the fitting outlet, in which, for the screwing of the insertion cartridge in and out of the fitting outlet, an identically constructed additional insertion cartridge, provided for the exchange, can be used, Figure 6 a sanitary outflow armature in whose fitting outlet an insertion cartridge comparable to that shown in Figure 3 can be removably placed by means of an intermediate holder, such that at the flow inlet side of this insertion cartridge a peripheral seal is formed on in onepiece fashion in order to provide a seal between the insertion cartridge and the intermediate holder on the one hand and the outlet fitting on.

the other hand, Figure 7 the seal from Figure 6 in a detailed view in the area of its sealing profile, the sealing profile having a sealing lip and a radially adjacent insertion stop, Figure 8 a seal that is functionally comparable to that shown in Figures 6 and 7, but having only one sealing lip, Figure 9 a seal that is functionally comparable to that shown in Figures 6 to 8 having a surface seal as a sealing profile, Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 a seal that is functionally comparable to that shown in Figures 6 to 9.

having two radially adjacent sealing lips with bevels directed opposite one another, a seal having two radially adjacent sealing lips having bevels in the same direction, and a seal functionally comparable to that shown in Figures 6 to 11, having four radially adjacent annular peripheral sealing lips.

In Figures 1 and 2, a sanitary outflow armature is shown in two different embodiments 1, 2. The outlet fittings 1, 2 have a liquid guide 3 that opens into an outlet fitting 4. In the area of this outlet fitting 4, a plumbing functional unit 5 is provided that acts here as a jet regulator. The functional unit 5, acting as a jet regulator, is fashioned as an insertion cartridge in whose interior at least a jet fractionating device and a jet regulating device are provided.

From Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the insertion cartridge 5 can be inserted into the fitting outlet 4 from the opening side of the outlet fitting 1, 2 and is held removably therein, and that the insertion cartridge 5 is here situated completely and with its entire longitudinal extension in the fitting outlet 4 so as to be practically invisible.

While the insertion cartridge 5 of the outlet fitting 1 shown in Figure 1 can be 00 placed immediately into the fitting outlet 4, the insertion cartridge 5 of the outlet O fitting 2 shown in Figure 2 is held immediately in the fitting outlet 4 by a sleeve.

\D shaped or cup-shaped intermediate holder 6.

This intermediate holder 6 can be fastened removably or non-removably in the fitting outlet 4. Here it is possible to fasten the intermediate holder 6 in the fittin; outlet 4 for example by means of a clamped connection, a locking connection, and/o r a screw connection. If the intermediate holder 6 is glued in the fitting outlet 4, the adhesive used can simultaneously be used as a sealing means for sealing the intermediate holder 6 against the inner peripheral wall of the fitting outlet 4. In such a specific embodiment, in which the intermediate holder 6 is fastened nonremovably in the outlet fitting 2, the intermediate holder 6 can easily be placed into the outlet fitting 2 by the manufacturer of the fitting, so that it will subsequently remain therein for the entire life span of the outlet fitting 2. The insertion cartridge is also fastened removably in the intermediate holder 6 in the outlet fitting 2, so that the user can easily remove it from the outlet fitting 2 as needed, for example for service work for the removal of dirt or for decalcification.

The outlet fittings 1, 2 shown here can be manufactured without a great outlay anc at relatively low cost. As can be seen from Figure 2, a special machining of a fitting.

outlet intended to receive the intermediate holder 6 can be omitted. An additional cost reduction is achieved in that the outlet nozzles previously required are omitted.

00 In Figures 1 and 2, it is shown that the machining of the outlet fitting in the area of the fitting outlet intended for the reception of the plumbing fimctional unit can be accomplished for example by the formation of a simple blind hole, or a blind holehaving a simple holding geometry, for example a groove. Given a corresponding construction of the holding mechanism provided between the functional unit 5 and the outlet fitting 1, 2, it may be possible to entirely omit a machining of the outlet fitting.

The fastening of the intermediate holder 6 in the fitting outlet 4 can take place for example by means of pressing, gluing, snapping, clutching, or wedging. The sealin g of the intermediate holder 6 in the fitting outlet 4 can for example be accomplished with additional seals, such as an 0-ring or a flat seal, with seals sprayed onto intermediate holder 6, or through the above-named. connecting means, such as for example the adhesive used in gluing.

In Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the insertion cartridge 5 is here fastened removably in the outlet fittings 1, 2 by means of a screw connection. For the fastening of the insertion cartridges, a number of variations are possible, such as for example single-threaded or multi-threaded screw connections, snap connections, or other removable connections that enable simple assembly and disassembly.

In the outlet fitting shown in Figure 1, the insertion cartridge 5 is held directly in the opening area of the fitting outlet 4, without the interposition of an intermediate holder 6. The outlet fitting 1 shown in Figure 1 has for this purpose an inner threading in the area of its fitting outlet 4, into which the insertion cartridge 5 can be screwed from the opening side. Here, the insertion cartridge 5, formed as a jet regulator insert, can for example be screwed tight using a crown key that engages 00 Son the outer contour of the insertion cartridge between the longitudinal webs. An assembly and disassembly of the insertion cartridge 5 intended for the outlet fittings 1, 2 can also be accomplished using standardized or special tools that can be used on the lower end surface of the insertion cartridge 5 in order for example to.

screw the insertion cartridge into the outlet fittings 1, 2.

In Figure 3, a sanitary outflow armature 2 is shown in the area of the fitting outlet 4 of its liquid guide 3. In the area of the fitting outlet 4, a plumbing functional unit, in the form of an insertion cartridge 5, is provided that is held in the fitting outlet 4 via a sleeve-shaped intermediate holder 6. The insertion cartridge 5 can be placed into the intermediate holder 6 from the flow inlet side of the intermediate holder 6, up to a holding projection 7. The intermediate holder 6 has on its peripheral edge area at the flow outlet side an outer threading 8 that can be screwed into a complementary inner threading in the fitting outlet 4 in such a way that the intermediate holder 6, and the insertion cartridge 5 situated therein, are situated completely in the fitting outlet 4 with their entire longitudinal extension.

At the side facing away from the direction of flow of the outer threading 8, on the periphery of the intermediate holder, an annular seal 11, held in an annular groove is provided that provides a seal in the radial direction between the intermediate holder 6 and the inner periphery of outlet fitting 1. Here, the insertion cartridge is formed from a jet regulator 12 at the flow outlet side, that is connected, preferably in removable fashion, at the flow inlet side with a flow regulator 13 as well as with a sieve attachment 14 that is connected upstream.

At the flow inlet side of the intermediate holder 6, an additional sieve attachment is provided that can extend over a comparatively large cross-section inside liquid 0C) guide 3 of the outlet fitting 2. The sieve attachment 15 is connected in removable fashion with the intermediate holder 6, and has for this purpose a peripheral IND locing projection 16 on its peripheral edge that engages in an annular groove on the inner periphery at the flow inlet side of the intermediate holder 6. Between the sieve attachment 15 and an end surface at the flow inlet side of the jet regulator 12.

of the insertion cartridge 5, an annular seal 17 that seals in the axial direction is provided; the jet regulator 12 is held between a holding projection 7 and the sieve attachment 15 with an annular flange 18. Functional units of standard construction, such as for example a jet regulator, flow regulator, backflow prevention device, and/or sieve attachment, can be inserted into the intermediate holder 6.

Figure 4 shows a sanitary outflow arm-atur 1 into whose outlet end a plumbing functional unit, in the form of an insertion cartridge 5, can also be inserted without an intermediate holder. For this purpose, the insertion cartridge 5 has a multi-part cartridge housing 19, here constructed in two parts, having an outer threading 21 on a housing part 20 at the flow outlet side. The insertion cartridge 5 can be screwed with this outer threading 21 onto an inner threading that is situated on th 3 inner periphery of the liquid guide 3 provided at the outflow end of the outlet fitting 1. An annular seal 11 is also provided on the housing part 20, on the side of outer threading 21 facing away in the direction of flow; this annular seal is situated in an annular groove on the outer periphery of the cartridge housing 19.

Th e insertion cartridge 5 in Figure 4 is also situated with its entire longitudinal extension essentially completely in the fitting outlet 4. The insertion cartridge also has an outflow-side jet regulator 12 having a jet fractionator 22 and a subsequent jet regulating device 23. The jet regulator 12 is connected at the flow 0C) outlet side with a flow regulator 13, and a sieve attachment 14 is connected upstream from flow regulator 13.

Due to the multi-part construction of the cartridge housing 19, the insertion cartridge 5 in Figure 4 has a modular construction. While the housing part enables the installation of the insertion cartridge in an outlet fitting 1 even without the intermediate holder 6 and without a nozzle, alternatively an additional housing part (not shown here) at the flow outlet side, not having an external threading, can be provided that is used to install the insertion cartridge 5 for example in a standard nozzle.

While the left halves of the longitudinal sections shown in Figures 3 and 4 show thie installation of the insertion cartridges in an outlet fitting constructed as a moldd part, in the right halves of Figures 3 and 4 it is shown that these insertion cartridges can also be installed into an outlet fitting constructed at the opening side as a metal tube.

In Figures 3 and 4, it is indicated that the intermediate holder 6 in Figure 3 and the insertion cartridge 5 in Figure 4 have an end surface at the flow outlet side that is contoured and is formed from projections and recesses 24, this contouring being constructed- as a tool engagement surface, for example for a complementarily shaped insertion tool. A standard coin piece can possibly also be used here as an insertion tool.

In contrast, in Figure 5 an outlet fitting 1 comparable to that shown in Figure 4 is shown to which the insertion cartridges 5 are allocated, of which one insertion cartridge 5 is situated in the outlet fitting 1, while an identically constructed 0C) different insertion cartridge 5' is provided for exchange. From Figure 5, it can be seen that the end surface at the outflow side of each insertion cartridge 5, 5' has a contouring formed from projections and recesses 24 on the final edge, in such a way that the recesses 24 of the insertion cartridge 5 held in outlet fitting 1 act as a tool engagement surface for the projections 25 of the other insertion cartridge which can be used here as an insertion tool, and vice versa. The projections 25 and recesses 24 on the outflow end side of the insertion cartridges 5, 5' form in each case a crown-type lower edge whose claws fit into the mating piece that is to be assembled or disassembled.

While in Figure 5 a complete insertion cartridge 5'is used to exchange the insertion cartridge 5 situated in the outlet fitting 1, it is also possible to use only an additional intermediate holder 6, or only an additional cartridge housing of an insertion cartridge that is otherwise not provided, to unscrew the insertion cartridge 5 situated in the outlet fitting or to unscrew the intermediate holder 6.

For this purpose, the manufacturer of the fi ttings may supply only an additional intermediate holder or only an additional cartridge housing with the fitting, intended for use as an insertion tool. This has the advantage that the fitting manufacturer need not supply a second functional unit that can be installed in the outlet fitting, and the additional intermediate holder or the additional cartridge housing, manufactured and used in relatively large piece numbers, represents a very economical auxiliary tool.

Figure 6 shows an outlet fitting 2 into which an insertion cartridge 5 comparable to that shown in Figure 3 can be placed using an intermediate holder 6. While an annular seal 11 constructed as an 0-ring is provided on the intermediate holder 6 shown in Figure 3, on the insertion cartridge 5 shown in Figure 6, instead of this,- a 00 seal 30 is formed on in one-piece fashion at the flow inlet side, The seal 30, formed on in one piece at the inflow-side final edge area of the cartridge housing, is formed as a sealing profile that has a sealing lip 31 as well as a peripheral external insertion stop 32 situated parallel to the sealing lip. In the position of use of the.

insertion cartridge 5, the insertion stop 32 limits a deformation of the seal 30 and of its sealing profile. In the position of use, the sealing profile with the sealing lip 31 and its insertion stop 32 work together with an annular projection 33 situated around the inner periphery of the fitting outlet, which limits the clear outlet crosssection of outlet fitting 2. The cartridge housing of the insertion cartridge 5, with the seal 30 formed thereon in one piece, can be manufactured as a single-componen~t or multi-component injection-molded part. For the simple recycling of the materials used for the insertion cartrid ge and its intermediate holder, it is however useful if the cartridge housing and the seal 30 formed thereon are made of the same, preferably food-safe, material. In this way, the manufacturing outlay is simplified and the tool costs for an injection-molding tool that may be required can be kept relatively low.

As can be seen by comparing Figures 3 and 6, the insertion cartridge 5 shown in Figure 6 is significantly easier to construct, because the additional sieve attachment fashioned in Figure 3 as a snap ring at the flow inlet side, and annular seals 11 and 17, can be omitted, which is significantly simpler from the point of view of assembly and manufacture.

The seal 30 from Figure 6 is shown in Figure 7 in a detailed longitudinal section.

The sealing lip 31, as well as the outer insertion stop 32 running parallel thereto hi Speripheral fashion, can be seen clearly.

00 Figure 9 shows a modified specific embodiment of the seal 30 whose sealing profile IN is here constructed as a surface seal.

Figure 8 shows, in contrast, a construction having a single sealing lip 31 that is situated on a sealing profile base 31a. The sealing profile base 31a here is constructed as the insertion stop 32, which, in the constructions of the seal shown in Figures 6 and 7, limits the insertion depth of the insertion cartridge in the outlet fitting.

Figures 10 and 11 show two constructions of the seal 30, constructed as a sealing profile, each having two sealing lips 31 that are situated in annular peripheral fashion in the final edge area at the flow inlet side of the insertion cartridge. In the seal 30 shown in Figure 10, the edges ofth esealing lips 31 have different bevelingc in order to influence the deformation in the position of use. The beveled edges situated opposite one another shown in Figure 10 have the effect that in the position of use of the insertion cartridge, the sealing lips 31 bend away from one another, and thus can seal even a broad final edge area. Figure 11 shows two sealing lips 31 each having bevelings on their external side, and which, in the position of use of the insertion cartridge, are thereby bent towards the center ofthe insertion cartridge.

Figure 12 shows an advantageous construction of the seal 30, in which annular peripheral sealing lips 31 that become effective one after the other are provided on the sealing profile base, situated in stepped fashion to one another and having differently stepped heights. The sealing lips 31 become effective one after the other with increasing insertion pressure acting on the insertion cartridge. Here, after 00 extended use of the insertion cartridge, it is possible to maintain the sealing effect over a long period of tinme by tightening the insertion cartridge and/or the IND intermediate holder. If the highest sealing lip 31, here situated on the outer peripheral edge, has already become somewhat damaged or worn or inflexible, the sealing lip 31 that is next in height can again achieve the sealing effect after tightening. Moreover, small rougbnesses or unevenness of the counterstop in the outlet fitting can be compensated.

Of course, the sealing profies described on the basis of Figures 7 to 12 can be formed in one piece not only onto an insertion cartridge, but also onto an intermediate holder, in particular on the final edge thereof at the flow inlet side.

The plumbing fimetional units shown here can be inserted into the outlet end of a sanitary outflow armature 1, 2 in such a way that a nozzle that can be screwed onto the outlet end from the outside can be omitted. Because in the outlet fittings shown here a nozzle can be omitted, the gap is also omitted that would otherwise remain between the nozzle and the outlet fitting; this gap would have an adverse effect on the optical appearance of such an outlet fitting and would work against hygienic requirements due to the accumulation of dirt. Because, in the outlet fittings 1, 2 shown here, the insertion cartridge is situated with its entire longitudinal extension completely in the liquid guide of the outlet fitting, the outlet fitting can be given a uniform coloring or chroming without a great expense, without simultaneously also having to give a nozzle or other components the same color or shape. Because the entire inner diameter of the liquid guide provided in the outlet fitting is available for the insertion cartridge, large-surface sieve attachments can also be used, which 0 significantly prolong the useful time between two maintenance intervals.

O If the insertion cartridge, as shown in Figure 5, is constructed at its flow outlet side in such a way that an insertion cartridge having an identical construction but intended for exchange can be screwed on and off it, the insertion cartridge can simultaneously also act as a tool for assembly and disassembly.

00 A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was, in Australia, known or that the information it contains was part of c the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims W:Fils\738861\738961 _spece090206Aoc

Claims (19)

1. Sanitary outflow armature having a liquid guide that opens Sinto a fitting outlet in an area of which a plumbing functional unit in the form of an insertion cartridge is provided, wherein an inner diameter of the liquid guide is adapted to the insertion cartridge at least in the opening area of the fitting outlet and that the insertion 00 cartridge can be inserted into the fitting outlet from an opening side and is held removably therein. NO

2. Outlet fitting according to Claim 1, wherein the insertion cartridge is situated with at least a predominant part of its longitudinal extension, preferably completely with its entire longitudinal extension, in the fitting outlet

3. Outlet fitting according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the insertion cartridge is held in the fitting outlet by means of a preferably sleeve- shaped intermediate holder

4. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the intermediate holder that can be placed into the fitting outlet from the opening side is held removably or non-removably in the fitting outlet Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the insertion cartridge or the intermediate holder can be inserted into the fitting outlet up to an insertion stop.

6. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the intermediate holder is held in the fitting outlet by means of a glued, clamped, locking, and/or screw connection, and/or by pressing, clutching, or wedging. W:'Pilcs738861\73$861_spe -9OO206Adoc I7. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the Sintermediate holder is preferably sealed peripherally against an inner peripheral wall of the fitting outlet S 5 8. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the insertion cartridge is held in the fitting outlet or in the intermediate holder by means of a clamped, locking, or screw connection. 00

9. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the insertion cartridge is sealed against the intermediate holder or against the inner peripheral wall of the fitting outlet Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one annular seal preferably at least one O-ring, is provided for the seal between the insertion cartridge and/or intermediate holder on the one hand and the outlet fitting on the other hand.

11. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the insertion cartridge or the intermediate holder has an outer thread that can be screwed into an inner thread in the fitting outlet and that the outer thread and the inner thread are dimensioned and situated such that when the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder are screwed onto one another, the threads grasp one another in a relative position of the outlet fitting on the one hand and the insertion cartridge and/or intermediate holder on the other hand in which the O-ring or similar annular seal (11) provided on an outer periphery of the insertion cartridge or of the intermediate holder does not yet make frictional contact with the outlet fitting

12. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the insertion cartridge has a multi-part cartridge housing and that a clamping, locking, and/or screw connection is provided on a housing part W:\FUi,738861\738861_rp pmi©_OM02,Jo. of the cartridge housing preferably situated at the flow outlet side, for the fastening of the cartridge housing (19) in the fitting outlet

13. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the cartridge housing of the insertion cartridge and/or of the intermediate holder has a contoured outer periphery and/or a contoured outflow end surface, constructed as a tool engagement surface for an insertion 00oo tool. ID 10 14. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the outflow end surface of the cartridge housing of each insertion cartridge and/or of each intermediate holder has a contouring made up of projections and recesses (24) at a final edge, such that the recesses (24) of an insertion cartridge held in the outlet fitting and/or of an intermediate holder act as a tool engagement surface for the projections (25) of another cartridge housing that can be used as an insertion tool, and/or of another intermediate holder. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder are connected in one piece with at least one seal (30) that forms a seal between the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder on the one hand and the outlet fitting on the other hand.

16. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 15, wherein the outflow-side final edge area of the insertion cartridge and/or of the intermediate holder is fashioned as a sealing profile.

17. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 16, wherein the sealing profile has at least one surface seal and at least one lip seal.

18. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 17, wherein the insertion cartridge and/or the intermediate holder has at the flow W:.cR"s\73851\738861 _speci 0902(Md Sinlet side an insertion stop (32) that in its position of use limits a 0 deformation of the sealing profile.

19. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 18, wherein the sealing 5 profile has at least one seal having a sealing profile base that is fashioned as an insertion stop. r- 00 Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 19, wherein the sealing profile, and, if necessary, its insertion stop, works together with a counterstop on an inner periphery of the outlet fitting that limits the inner Sdiameter.

21. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 20, wherein the insertion stop (32) is situated adjacent to the sealing profile in the radial direction.

22. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 21, wherein the sealing profile has at least one annular peripheral sealing lip (31).

23. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 22, wherein the sealing profile has at least two annular peripheral sealing lips that become effective one after the other with increasing insertion pressure that acts on the insertion cartridge and/or on the intermediate holder.

24. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 23, wherein the sealing lips have different heights. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 24, wherein the sealing lips have stepped heights.

26. Outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 25, wherein the seal and the component of the insertion cartridge and/or of the W:WPiIa\738861\738861_lpcie090206oc \0 intermediate holder connected in one piece with the seal are made 0 0 of the same material. (N

27. Jet regulator or similar plumbing functional unit fashioned for O 5 housing in an outlet fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 26. DATED: 9 February 2006 00 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK N 10 Attorneys for: Neoperl GmbH W:\Filcs738861\738861_spcie090206Moc