EP2210986B1 - Device and method for use in a shower system - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has pipes (3, 4), a communication nozzle (3a), a mixing chamber (6) and a flow regulator (8) for adding a medium e.g. fragrance, washing active agent and colorant, to shower water via a supply device. The pipes, the nozzle, the chamber and the regulator are designed such that the pipes, the nozzle, the chamber and the regulator work according to the principle of a water jet pump. The supply device is formed as a replaceable capsule (7). The flow regulator controls the flow of medium to the shower water. An independent claim is also included for a method for mixing hot and cold water.

Description

The invention relates to a device for use in a shower system, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Shower or shower systems are typical components of modern bathrooms. Conventional shower or shower systems make it possible to "sprinkle" a person using the shower or shower system with cold, warm or hot water. The water is usually supplied to the respective shower system via a mixer tap or mixing fitting. As a mixer tap or mixing fitting technical devices are referred to, in which controlled by one or more handles valves regulate the mixing of liquids or gases, so in the case of shower systems, the mixing of hot and cold water. The sprinkling with water in a shower system is used especially for body care, but also for relaxation and well-being.

Showering today, to a certain extent, replaces bathing. Many apartments no longer have a bathtub but a shower cubicle.

There are free-standing shower cubicles with a small tub, but also showers that are integrated into bathtubs.

Showers are often separated from the environment by waterproof curtains ("shower curtains"), sliding doors or hinged doors to protect them from splashes of water. Shower cubicles are typically open at the top. The walls are mostly tiled and grouted. More elaborate and expensive in the design are ground-level or floor-level showers. The wall and floor of the shower area are tiled or otherwise covered in a watertight manner; The floor is slightly inclined towards the drain. This design also allows use with wheelchairs or other walking aids. Other handicapped accessible additions may be seating and handholds.

Furthermore, open large-sized showers are known, which are e.g. are set up in bathing establishments.

Today's showers often have massage showers that are fed with hot and / or cold water from a single-lever or single lever mixer tap.

Common accessories for showering are soap, shampoo, shower gel, shower cap, back brush.

From the EP 1 031 665 A2 It is known to use a reservoir for a shower system, is filled in as the shower water to be added additive liquid soap. The storage container can be unscrewed and refilled.

In the US 5,716,006 a pump device is described by means of which a fluid can be mixed with shower water.

From the US 3,207,445 a device for supplying soap to the shower water is known.

In the US 2003/0189106 a device is described by means of which an additive substance can be added to a water jet emitted by a shower head.

From the FR 2620470 a device for perfuming water is known.

In the JP 2000197575 a device is described with which a personal care product can be added to the shower water. This document corresponds to the preamble of claim 1, and is considered to be the closest prior art.

The invention has for its object to provide a novel device for use in a shower system, in which the inflow of a medium into a mixing chamber can be better controlled.

It achieves this and other objectives by the subject matter of claim 1.

Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

Advantageously, the device can be designed so that it operates on the principle of a water jet pump.

Advantageously, the medium added to the shower water contains one or more fragrance media, and / or one or more detergent substances, and / or one or more dyes.

Advantageously, the means for adding the medium to the shower water is designed so that the storage device, in particular capsule is interchangeable.

In this way, different (fragrance) media can be added to the shower water during each showering process.

Fig. 1

eine schematische beispielhafte Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Verwendung in einem Dusch-System gemäß einem Ausfüh- rungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 2

eine schematische beispielhafte Darstellung eines Dusch- Systems mit einer Vorrichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Er- findung;

Fig. 3

ein Flussdiagramm zur Veranschaulichung von bei einem Dusch- Vorgang durchgeführten Schritten;

Fig. 4

ein Flussdiagramm zur Veranschaulichung von bei einem alterna- tiven Dusch-Vorgang durchgeführten Schritten; und

Fig. 5a - 5d

Detailansichten der Vorrichtung.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to several embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic exemplary illustration of an apparatus for use in a shower system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2

a schematic exemplary representation of a shower system with a device according to the present invention;

Fig. 3

a flowchart illustrating steps performed in a showering process;

Fig. 4

a flowchart for illustrating steps performed in an alternative showering process; and

Fig. 5a - 5d

Detailed views of the device.

FIG. 1 shows schematically and by way of example a device 1 for use in a shower system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The device 1 can in principle be used in any shower system, for example in a shower system with a shower cubicle, in a walk-in shower, in a large-capacity shower.

Alternatively, the device may also be integrated in a bathtub, in particular in a bathtub provided with a shower system.

The o.g. Shower cabin, the o.g. walk-in shower, the o.g. Bathtub, the o.g. Open-plan shower, etc. can be e.g. in a bathroom of an apartment or a residential building, or in any other place, e.g. in a public or private bathhouse, in a hotel, in a fitness club, in the shower rooms of a sports club.

As in FIG. 1 is shown, the device has a water connection 1 a, and a water outlet 1 b.

Water can be supplied to the water connection 1a, for example as in FIG. 2 shown via a connected by means of a pipe or hose with the device 1 mixer tap or mixing fitting 2 a shower 10th

In the mixer tap or mixing valve 2 can be introduced via a hot water connection correspondingly hot, and a cold water connection correspondingly cold water.

In the mixer tap or mixing valve 2, the mixing of the hot and cold water can be regulated via valves operated by one or more handles.

In this way, the temperature of the supplied via the mixer tap or mixing valve 2 to the water port 1 a of the device 1 water can be adjusted according to the wishes of the user of the device 1, and / or the water connection 1 a of the device supplied amount of water ,

In principle, any mixer tap or mixing valve can be used as a mixer tap or mixing valve, eg according to FIG FIG. 2 a single-lever or single-lever mixer tap with or without a thermostat, or any other mixer tap, eg a mixer tap with sensor instead of lever control. The mixer can be arranged eg in the bathroom, or in any other place, eg in the basement.

In further alternative embodiments, the device 1 may also be integrated into a mixer tap or mixing fitting.

The in FIG. 1 shown water drain 1 b of the device 1 may be connected by means of a pipe or a hose with a shower head 30, for example as in FIG. 2 shown with the shower head 30 of a - removable from a fixed to the wall of the shower 10 holder - hand shower, or alternatively with a fixedly attached to the wall or the ceiling of the shower shower head.

In further alternative embodiments, the device 1 may also be integrated into a shower head.

The device 1 operates on the concept of a water jet pump, which in the following with reference to FIG. 1 is explained in more detail.

A water jet pump has two inputs, and an output, and consists in principle of two nested tubes 3, 4.

The tubes 3, 4 have different diameters.

With the pipe 4 with a larger diameter, a suction line 5 is connected.

The first input of the water jet pump is the o.g. Water port 1 a of the device 1, and as a second input, the outlet of the suction line 5, e.g. a corresponding vacuum outlet 5a.

The water drain 1 b of the device 1 forms the output of the water jet pump.

As in FIG. 1 illustrates, at the outlet of the tube 3, a nozzle 3a ("blowing nozzle") is provided.

The diameter or the cross section A _{2 of} the nozzle 3a is smaller than the diameter or cross section A _{1 of} the tube 3.

The first inlet of the aspirator, i. the o.g. Water connection 1a supplied water is supplied via the nozzle 3a of a mixing chamber 6 formed by the pipe 4.

According to the so-called Venturi effect or the so-called Bernoulli equation, owing to the above-mentioned small diameter or cross section A _{2 of} the nozzle 3a, ie the constriction formed thereby, the flow velocity v _{2 of} the water is higher there than the flow velocity v _{1 of} FIG Water in the pipe 3, and the pressure p ₂ is lower there than the pressure p ₁ in the tube 3 - at the location of the nozzle 3a (and thus also in the mixing chamber 6), a negative pressure p ₂ .

Due to the negative pressure, a medium ("suction medium"), which is provided via a supply device 7, is sucked in via the suction line 5; Outlet, in particular vacuum outlet 5a of the suction line 5 of the mixing chamber 6 is supplied.

In the mixing chamber 6 arise between the fast flowing over the nozzle 3a water and the supplied via the suction line 5, surrounding medium by friction turbulence; As a result, there is a mixing of the supplied via the suction line 5 medium, and the inflowing through the nozzle 3a water. In this process, kinetic energy is transferred from the water jet to the surrounding medium, providing an effective delivery mechanism. Furthermore, it may alternatively, as in conventional water jet pumps to a nebulization process come, so that then at the water outlet 1b of the device 1, a corresponding - water, and the supplied medium containing - exits spray (eg in accordance with other types of embodiment of the water outflow 1 b).

The medium provided via the storage device 7 is preferably a liquid containing one or more intentionally added fragrances (or alternatively, for example, a gas containing one or more deliberately added fragrances).

As a fragrance, e.g. Any commonly used perfumes, soaps, shampoos, shower gels, deodorants, perfume added.

For example, the (fragrance) medium provided via the stocker 7, like perfumes, etc., may include alcohol, and / or water, especially distilled water, and natural essences dissolved therein, e.g. have essential oils of vegetable and / or animal origin, and / or synthetically produced fragrances, e.g. synthetic essential oils or fragrances.

The fragrance medium respectively provided via the storage device 7 can have very many different fragrance notes due to different proportions of the basic constituents, for example corresponding flowery-feminine, masculine, oriental, fruity, powdery, citrus-fresh or classically elegant fragrance nuances.

For example, from the available amount of about 200 natural essences and about 2,000 synthetic fragrances, 2 to 150, especially e.g. 10 to 100, advantageously 30 to 80 different substances for a corresponding fragrance medium composition are mixed together.

The fragrance medium composition may e.g. - Similar to similar to perfumes, soaps, shampoos, shower gels, deodorants - be designed so that fragrance building blocks are used, which includes flowers, fruits, spices, bark and resin, leaves, grasses, mosses, berries, roots, animal secretions and so-called Gourmand notes remember.

As in FIG. 1 is further shown, an inflow controller 8 is provided on the suction line 5.

With this, the diameter or the cross section of the suction line 5 or an opening of a valve provided therein variably changed, and thus the amount of sucked from the mixing chamber 6, and then mixed with the water fragrance medium can be adjusted.

With the aid of the inflow regulator 8, the suction line 5 can also be completely closed, and thus the mixing chamber 6 can be separated from the storage device 7 - the water flowing into the mixing chamber 6 via the nozzle 3a is then unmixed to the water outlet 1b of the device 1 forwarded.

The user of the device 1 can thus variably select via the inflow controller 8 whether and how much the water flowing in via the nozzle 3a is mixed with a corresponding fragrance medium provided by the supply device 7. In other words, the user of the device 1 can variably choose whether and how much the water used by him for showering smells. Furthermore, it can be set indirectly via the inflow controller 8, as long as the water is to be mixed with fragrance medium (namely, possibly until the storage device 7 is empty, whichever is the case, the stronger the water with fragrance medium is offset).

Alternatively or in addition to the o.g. Fragrances, the medium provided via the storage device 7 may also comprise components of shampoos, soaps, shower gels, etc., i. in addition to water corresponding washing raw materials or washing-active substances with which the user of the device 1, a corresponding skin and / or hair-cleaning effect can be achieved.

For example, the medium provided by the storage device 7 may contain appropriate surfactants which increase the solubility of soil and fat deposits on the skin or hair, e.g. corresponding anionic surfactants such as e.g. Alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates and amphoteric surfactants, and optionally corresponding cosurfactants.

Alternatively or additionally, one or more dyes may also be added to the medium respectively provided via the storage device 7.

Advantageously, the storage device 7 can be designed in the form of an exchangeable capsule - similar to a capsule used in a fully automatic coffee machine for supplying coffee.

The outer wall of the capsule 7 may e.g. be made of plastic, and / or of a metal, e.g. Aluminum.

Before inserting the capsule 7 into the device 1, the contents of the capsule 7 - i. the o.g. (Fragrance) medium - tightly enclosed by the capsule outer wall.

When the capsule 7 is inserted into the device 1 or the capsule 7 is put into operation, the capsule 7 - e.g. similarly as in capsules used in fully automated coffee machines, the case is correspondingly opened, for example, by pushing a hole in the outer wall, in particular in the top of the capsule 7, or in any other way.

Via the hole in the capsule outer wall, the medium can then enter the suction line 5, and if desired (with corresponding actuation of the inflow regulator 8), in the manner described above into the mixing chamber 6.

If the contents of the capsule 7 are used up, the capsule 7 can be replaced by a new capsule 7 '.

Advantageously, a variety of different capsules 7, 7 ', 7 ", 7"' are offered on the market, e.g. all may be constructed identically or similarly (in particular, they may all have similar or identical outer dimensions), but may have different media as their contents.

For example, the various capsules 7, 7 ', 7 ", 7"' each contain different fragrances and / or fragrance combinations, and / or in each case different detergent substances, and / or in each case different dyes.

In this way, different media, in particular fragrance media can be admixed to the shower water per showering process - the respectively admixed medium, in particular fragrance medium, can even be exchanged during one and the same showering process.

Each identical fragrances and / or identical fragrance combinations and / or identical detergent-active substances and / or identical dyes containing capsules may be eg marked accordingly, for example via appropriate labeling of the capsule outer wall, and / or by appropriate coloring of the capsule outer wall.

Advantageously, it can also be provided that a user of the device 1 can individually select or assemble the contents of a respective capsule 7, 7 ', 7 ", 7'" himself.

With the device 1, the showering process can be revolutionized.

For example, as in FIG. 3 shown schematically by way of example - with closed inflow controller 8 of the device 1 - first body and head of the user of the device 1 are wetted, or body and head of the in FIG. 2 10 shown person using shower (step A).

Next, as in conventional showering operations, the head of the user may be soaped with a conventional shampoo (step B), whereupon the shower 10 is used to flush out the shampoo (with the flow control 8 of the device 1 closed further) (step B). Step C).

Then - also according to the conventional shower procedures - the body with a conventional shower gel are soaped (step D), which is then rinsed with more closed inflow controller 8 using the shower 10 with water (step E).

Then, when inserted into the device 1 capsule 7 with fragrance medium - the inflow controller 8 of the device 1 are opened, whereby by the device 1, and thus also as explained above of the shower head 30 of the shower 10, a corresponding spray with fragrance is delivered (step F).

Alternatively, numerous variants of the o.g. Shower process conceivable.

For example, as in alternative FIG. 4 shown schematically by way of example - with closed inflow controller 8 of the device 1 - first body and head of the user of the device 1 are wetted, or body and head of the in FIG. 2 shower shown 10 using person (step A ').

Then - with inserted into the device 1 capsule 7 with washing-active substance / with a corresponding shampoo - the flow regulator 8 of the device 1 are opened, whereby of the device 1, and thus as explained above of the shower head 30 of the shower 10 a corresponding Shampoo spray is delivered (step B ').

Next, the inflow controller 8 of the device 1 can be closed again, and with the help of the shower 10, the shampoo can be rinsed with water (step C ').

Then, as with conventional showering procedures, the body can be lathered by hand with a conventional shower gel.

Alternatively, e.g. the capsule 7 are replaced by a capsule 7 'containing a shower gel.

Then the inflow controller 8 of the device 1 can be opened, whereby from the device 1, and thus as explained above of the shower head 30 of the shower 10, a corresponding shower gel spray is discharged (step D ').

Next, the inlet regulator 8 can be closed again, and the shower gel with the inlet controller 8 closed by means of the shower 10 with water rinsed (step E ').

Then the capsule can be replaced by a capsule 7 "containing a fragrance medium.

Then, the inflow controller 8 can be opened again, whereby from the device 1, and thus also as explained above of the shower head 30 of the shower 10, a corresponding spray with fragrance is delivered (step F ').

In the FIGS. 5a-5d FIG. 2 shows exemplary detailed views of a device for use in a shower system according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which operates according to the above-mentioned principles, in particular the abovementioned concept of a water jet pump.

The device comprises a housing 21 with threaded ½-inch ports 21 a, 21 b, which act as a water port or water drainage.

Such as out FIG. 5b and 5d is apparent, at the outlet of the water port 21a, a nozzle 23a is provided.

Inside the housing 21, a mixing chamber 26 is formed.

As storage facility for the o.g. Medium, in particular fragrance medium acts as a capsule 17th

The capsule 17 is inserted in a capsule holder 24 provided with a capsule opening mechanism 24b.

With the aid of the capsule opening mechanism 24b, the capsule 17 can be opened, e.g. in that a hole 17a is pushed into the outer wall, in particular into the upper side of the capsule 17.

At the lower end of the housing 21, a control ring 25 is provided, which is connected to the capsule holder 24 via one or more pins 25 a.

Between the top of the capsule holder 24 and the mixing chamber 26, a control plate 22 is provided, which has an opening 22 a, which coincides with a in the Capsule holder 24, in particular provided in the capsule opening mechanism 24b opening 24a can communicate.

The medium contained in the capsule 17, in particular fragrance medium can be over the o.g. into the capsule pierced hole 17a, or the opening 24a of the capsule opening mechanism 24b, and via the opening 22a of the control plate 22 in the o.g. Flow mixing chamber 26.

The capsule holder 24 is laterally circumferentially sealed from the mixing chamber 26 by an O-ring 27.

The control ring 25, the capsule 17, and the capsule holder 24 are - unlike the control plate 22 - with respect to the housing 21 rotatable. Alternatively, the capsule 17 - as the control plate 22 - be designed not rotatable.

The O-ring 27 fulfills the function of a rotational resistance in the turning process explained in more detail below.

If the control ring 25 is rotated, turns due to the o.g. Pins 25a of the capsule holder 24 corresponding with the control ring 25 (and due to the capsule opening mechanism 24b and the capsule 17) - the control plate 22 stops.

Depending on the position of rotation in which the capsule holder 24 is in relation to the control plate 22 communicates - as well as, for example FIG. 5c shows - the opening 24 a of the capsule opening mechanism 24 b with a location of the opening 22 a of the control plate 22 each having a smaller or larger cross section.

When the control ring 25 is further rotated, the opening 24a of the capsule opening mechanism 24b is closed by the control plate 22, that is, it no longer communicates with the opening 22a thereof.

In this way, the inflow of medium into the mixing chamber 26 can be regulated.

The user of the device can thus variably choose via the control ring 25 whether and how much the water flowing in via the nozzle 23a into the mixing chamber 26 is in each case mixed with a corresponding (fragrance) medium provided via the capsule 17.

Claims (5)

1. A device (1) for use in a shower system, comprising means (3, 3a, 4, 6, 8) for adding a medium to the shower water, medium storage means (7) comprising a capsule (7) inserted into a capsule holder (24) of the device (1), said capsule holder (24) having an opening (24a), characterised in that
   said means of adding the medium comprises a control plate (22) with an opening (22a) between a mixing chamber (26) and the capsule holder (24), wherein the capsule holder (24) is designed to be rotated relative to the control plate (22), and wherein the capsule holder (24) is provided with a capsule opening mechanism (24b), so that a hole (1 7a) may be driven and opened in the capsule (71), and so that the capsule (17) is adapted to rotate along with the capsule holder (24), and wherein the opening (22a) of the control plate (22) communicates with the opening (24a) provided in the capsule opening mechanism (24b), and wherein, depending on the rotary position of the capsule holder (24) with respect to the control plate (22), the opening (24a) of the capsule holder (24) communicates with a location of the opening (22a) of the control plate (22) with a respectively smaller or larger diameter, so that the inflow of medium into the mixing chamber can be adjusted, and so that the medium is adapted to flow into the mixing chamber (26) via the opening (24a) of the capsule opening mechanism (24b) and via the opening (22a) of the control plate (22).
2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said means (3, 3a, 4, 6, 8) for adding the medium to the shower water is designed such that it works pursuant to the principle of a water jet pump.
3. The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said means (3, 3a, 4, 6, 8) for adding the medium to the shower water is designed such that the medium storage means (7), in particular capsule (17), is exchangeable.
4. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said means for adding the medium to the shower water comprises a water connection (1a) and a nozzle (3a) communicating therewith, and a water discharge (1 b).
5. A shower system comprising a device according to any of claims 1 to 4.

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