EP2640237B1

EP2640237B1 - A washing unit

Info

Publication number: EP2640237B1
Application number: EP10816372.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mustafa Manavoglu; Osman Can Ozcanli
Original assignee: Eczacibasi Yapi Gerecleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Eczacibasi Yapi Gerecleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2010-11-15
Filing date: 2010-11-15
Publication date: 2015-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2030-11-15
Also published as: WO2012066379A1; EP2640237A1

Description

Technical Field

This invention relates to washing units used in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Background Art

The most used units for personal cleaning uses are bathroom and kitchen sinks, bathroom tubs etc. These units which are manufactured from materials such as metal, ceramics or rigid material such as polymer, are produced in many different models and dimensions in accordance with the needs of the user. The most preferred aspects of the users for such washing units are that they should be aesthetically beautiful and their usage and cleaning should be easy. Additionally it is important that these units do not take up much space but can still be used without the water splashing out of the unit. In the known state of the art various studies have been conducted regarding these washing units and the patent application with the number US3869732 is an example to one of studies. In this application a self cleaning toilet closet is being described. This toilet comprises walls that can be folded from certain connection areas or joints and cleaning units mounted on these walls. During the cleaning process the walls of the toilet is folded thus making the toilet smaller in size. At this position the inside of the toilet is cleaned with nozzles that spray out water and after this process the walls are unfolded so that the toilet can be reused. In another patent application numbered US4934280 in the known state of the art, a cleaning sink that can be folded and which is portable so it can be carried around is mentioned. The sink shown here is designed like a bellow ensuring that it can be reduced to a smaller size so that space saving is achieved.

Brief description of the invention

The washing unit of the present invention comprises at least one washing tank; wherein the top surface of the washing tank comprises a flexible material such as a membrane. At least one area of the said top surface is movable so it can move thus forming the washing tank. This is achieved by the usage of a moving mechanism located below the top surface. While the washing process is not carried out, the top surface is preferably in a flat form.
When the said washing tank is created, the washing tank can be used as a sink for example. In order to use it as a sink, a tap located on top of the tank can be used and the water received from the tap is discharged via a drain. Apart from these features when the top surface is flat at least one wiper that wipes the top surface can be used in order to ensure that the washing tank can clean itself.

Objective of the invention

The aim of the invention is to provide a washing unit comprising a washing tank that is flexible so it can change shape.
Another aim of this invention is to provide a washing tank that forms a washing sink by being flexible in order to be used during washing processes.
A further aim of the invention is that the tank can be used as a flat surface panel when there is no washing process being performed.
Still a further aim of the invention is to ensure that the tank is a self cleaning tank.
Yet a further aim of the invention is to provide a washing tank which has aesthetical appearance.
Yet another aim of the invention is to provide a washing unit that is easy to use and clean.

Description of the Figures

An exemplary washing unit related to the present invention is shown in the drawings and according to these drawings;

Figure 1 shows the perspective view of the washing unit prior to a washing process.
Figure 2 illustrates the perspective view of the washing unit during the washing process.
Figure 3 illustrates the perspective view of the washing unit during the cleaning process.
Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the washing tank in two different positions.
Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below.
Washing unit (A)
Washing tank (1)
Wall (2)
Tap (3)
Wiper (4)
Top surface (5)
Drain (6)
Sink (7)
Centre (8)
Wiper slot (9)
Moving part (10)
Connection area (11)
Support surface (12)
Fixed sink (13)
Air suction vent (14)

Disclosure of the invention

The washing unit (A) of the present invention comprises at least one washing tank (1). This tank (1) is illustrated with the shape of a sink in the drawings but it can also be formed as a basin, tub or washing units that can be used in similar washing activities. The washing tank (1) shown in Figures 1-3, is shown to be mounted on a wall (2). In this sample, at least one tap (3) is positioned on the top part of the washing tank (1).
One of the most important features of the washing tank (1) is that it can change shape, in other words it is deformable. For this reason the top surface (5) of the washing tank (1) is formed of a flexible material which is like a membrane. As shown in Figure 1, the top surface (5) of the washing tank (1) is planar. In other words this shape of the tank (1) that looks like a flat panel shows the state of the tank while a washing process is not carried out.
In Figure 2 the washing tank (1) is illustrated during a washing process. Here, the top surface (5) caves in from at least one side and forms a washing sink (7). This sink (7), is formed with the aid of a moving mechanism located below the top surface (5) (shown in Figure 4). This shape of the sink (7) is achieved due to the fact that the top surface (5) is like a membrane and is highly flexible.
When a washing sink (7) is formed as shown in Figure 2, the washing tank (1) can be used as a washbasin for example. In order to use it as a washbasin the said tap (3) is used and the water coming out of the tap is discharged via a drain (6) that looks like a hole. The drain (6) can be placed on the wall as shown in Figure 2 or it can be a part of the flexible top surface (5) by being placed beneath the sink (7).
When the user completes the washing process, the top surface (5) turns back into its previous position. In order to reach its previous position the sink (7) flattens as it comes upwards thus having the top surface (5) totally flat as illustrated in Figure 3 (same position illustrated in Figure 1). In Figure 3 the cleaning stages of the top surface (5) is shown at the same time. The cleaning of the top surface (5) is provided here, with the usage of at least one wiper (4). The wiper (4) is designed so as to turn around a centre (8) (when it is moving, the different positions of the wiper (4) are shown with dashed lines) as shown in the sample of Figure 3, wherein it comprises the feature to be able to wipe and discharge the water and other foreign substances that remains on the top surface (especially in the sink (7) area). The movement of the wiper (4) is carried out preferably with the aid of a motor operated mechanism (not illustrated in the drawings). The wiping procedure can also be performed by the user manually; however the wiper (4) operating with a mechanism obviously makes it easier for the user to carry out the cleaning. This mechanism also allows the washing tank (1) to be a self cleaning tank.
A wiper slot (9) is established inside the wall (2) for the wiper (4) (and for the said mechanism although not shown in the drawings) as illustrated in Figure 3. When the wiper (4) is not used then it stays inside this slot. The wiper (4) comes out of the slot (9) during the wiping process and gets back into the slot (9) after cleaning the top surface (5). The wiper (4) discharges the waste it carries during the wiping process into the slot (9). As this slot (9) is also used as a drain, the waste collected from the top surface (5) is discharged from this drain.
A sectional view of the washing tank (1) is illustrated in Figure 4, in order to show the movement of the top surface (5). As shown here, the flexible top surface (5) is located on top of at least one fixed support surface (12) and at least one moving part (10) (this part (10) can move up and down and its top surface is preferably flat). On the top position shown in Figure 4, the support surface (12) and the moving part (10) are on the same level in order to ensure that the top surface (5) is flat. This position of the tank (1) is used, as mentioned above, when a washing process is not carried out.
Said moving part (10) is located near at least one support surface (12) and is used to form the above mentioned sink (7) structure when it is in this position. The up and down movement of the moving part (10) is established with the use of a mechanism (although this mechanism is not shown in the drawings, it can be any type of mechanism that can be driven with electricity and/or fluid). The top position of the part (10) is the position where the top surface (5) is totally flat. The low position of the part (10) on the other hand is the position which forms the said sink (7) shape. The moving part (10) mentioned here, can be of more than one quantity. Multiple moving parts (10) can be used to form different shapes for the sink (7) area, and also can be used to strengthen the support of the membrane like top surface (5) when positioned beneath the sink (7) area.
The part (10) and the top surface (5) are fixed to each other in at least one connection area (11). For this reason, when the part (10) is brought to the low position as illustrated in Figure 4, the top surface (5) elongates and flexes out and a sink (7) shape is formed on the upper area of the part (10). The washing tank (1) shaped like a washbasin due to this sink (7) that is established can change back into its old shape (flat) after the part (10) comes back to its top position when the washing process is completed.
An alternative embodiment (another structural shape of the tank (1)) is illustrated in Figure 5. In this example, instead of using a separate part that moves the top surface (5) a vacuum is formed beneath the top surface (5) thus enabling the formation of a washing sink. In order to establish this formation, at least one fixed sink (13) is placed beneath the top surface (5), and at least one air suction channel (14) is provided inside this sink (13). With the help of the air suction channel (14), the air between the fixed sink (13) and the top surface (5) is sucked out and the top surface (5) flexes and fits back on the surface of the fixed sink (13). With this motion, the top surface (5) turns once again into a washing sink.
By means of the above mentioned features of the washing unit (A) of the present invention, the tank (1) when not used for a washing procedure stays flat, clean and dry Thus both an aesthetical structure is established and a healthy medium is provided.

Claims

A washing unit (A) which comprises at least one washing tank (1) and
a membrane-like flexible material forming a top surface (5) of the washing tank (1) wherein a washing sink (7) is created by a downwards movement of at least one part of the said membrane-like flexible material;
characterized in that; the washing unit (A) further comprises a moving mechanism which is located beneath the membrane-like flexible material and which enables the up and down movement of the said part of the membrane-like flexible material.
A washing unit (A) according to Claim 1, wherein; the membrane-like flexible material is in flat form while a washing process is not carried out.
A washing unit (A) according to Claim 1, wherein; the moving mechanism comprises at least one fixed support surface (12) provided under the membrane-like flexible material and a moving part (10) which is provided under the membrane-like flexible material, which is able to move upwards and downwards with respect to the support surface (12) and which is fixed to the membrane-like flexible material in at least one connection area (11); and wherein in an upper state of the moving part (10), the moving part (10) and the support surface (12) are on the same level, the membrane-like material thus being flat.
A washing unit (A) according to Claim 3 wherein; when the moving part (10) moves downwards, the membrane-like flexible material flexes and extends for forming the sink (7) structure.
A washing unit (A) according to Claim 1, wherein; it comprises at least one water drain (6).
A washing unit (A) according to Claim 5, wherein; the drain (6) is located at the bottom of the sink (7) as a part of the membrane-like flexible material.
A washing unit (A) according to Claim 1, wherein; it comprises at least one moving wiper (4) for wiping the top of the top surface (5).
A washing unit (A) according to Claim 7, wherein; it comprises a wiper slot (9) which houses the wiper (4).
A washing unit (A) according to Claim 8, in which the slot (9) also works as a waste drainage system.
A washing unit (A) according to Claim 1, wherein, it comprises at least one fixed sink (13) located below the membrane-like flexible material, and at least one air suction vent (14) as the moving mechanism from which air between the fixed sink (13) and the membrane-like flexible material is sucked in.