EP3717710A1

EP3717710A1 - Rotatable tap head device

Info

Publication number: EP3717710A1
Application number: EP18815562.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roger HORNUNG; Christophe DOHR; Jean-Thierry BATT
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Thesimple X GmbH
Priority date: 2017-11-28
Filing date: 2018-11-28
Publication date: 2020-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-28
Also published as: EP3717710B1; WO2019106044A1

Abstract

The present invention is a tap system that intents to ease the accessibility of the water (or fluids) flows by deviating the flow laterally and upwards (from its initial direction) by a removable mounted rotatable apparatus. The present invention enables a lateral and upwards derivation of the water or fluids flow in a parabolic shape at the exit of the tap. This modification allows the users to reach the water/fluids with their mouth in an easier way compared to conventional taps, as the water is coming closer to the mouth and therefore it is not necessary to bend the neck and back as much as with conventional taps. The present invention does not allow to have a vertical water or fluid flow and at the same time a derivated water or fluid flow, hence saving water.

Description

Rotatable Tap Head Device

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a water tapping apparatus and particularly to an adjustable water tapping apparatus that allows vertical and horizontal water or fluid flow in both directions. More particularly, the invention relates to sanitary installations and apparafi providing health, secure and highly hygienic facilities for drinking in combination with drinking wafer faucets.

Background of the Invention

Wafer is an essential element that is required by all organisms in order†o perform the metabolic processes required to grow, reproduce, and respond to their environments. Not surprisingly, the provision of safe drinking water is a fundamental concern. The need and easy access for fresh water is particularly important, where ever a tap is used in the context of drinking water. There is a large body of prior art in the field of tapping water systems. However, conventional tap delivers (at their distal end) water or fluids mainly vertically, from up to down. As a daily life example: when finishing teeth brushing, several people reach out to the tap to drink water or rinse their months. With conventional tap, it is difficult for people to reach the water flows with their months at the distal exit of the tap and they need to bend their neck†o reach properly the water flow or use a glass to fill it with water prior rinsing their months. It is to note that tap spout exists to slightly modify the water flow laterally, nonetheless those systems never modify the flow laterally and at the same time upwards in a form of an inverted U- shaped curve or parabolic shaped curve. In the prior art, tapping sleeves are known†o be positioned around a water tap for connecting the water tap to the further transferring branch. A tapping valve can thus be connected between the tapping sleeve and the connecting branch for regulating water flow in the branch. The water tap is then tapped in a sealed manner allowing water to flow info the branch via the tapping sleeve and the tapping valve combination. Tapping sleeves are typically comprised of steel and are attached to the tapping valve by means of a flange welded to the tapping sleeve's branch pipe and connected to the tapping valve by nut and bolt combinations. The tapping valves are attached to the tapping sleeve with by fixed means, usually bolds or other fixed means. In some cases, a stainless steel flange is incorporated in the tapping sleeve for connection†o the flanged join† of the tapping valve. In any even†, the orientation of the tapping valve is fixed relative to the tapping sleeve and hence fixed relative the overlying surface. In this arrangement, positioning the tapping sleeve on the water tapping is done with some difficulty. In addition, the orientation of the tapping sleeve and tapping valve combination dictated by the orientation of the water tap. It would be

advantageous to provide an adjustable tapping valve that allows vertical orientation of the fluid flow in both directions of the tapping valve after installation of the combination on a water tap.

Summary of the Invention

It is one object of the present invention†o provide an easy accessibility of the water (or fluids) flow of tap systems by deviating the flow laterally and upwards (from its initial direction), thereby providing a hygienic sanitary drinking fountain. I† should allow the users to reach the water/fluids with their mouth in an easier and more hygienic way compared to conventional taps, in particular in way that the user does not have to bend the neck and back as much as with conventional tap systems.

Further, the sanitary installation and apparatus shall be provided in such a manner which may be quickly, securely and removably attached to the discharge end of a faucet or pump whereby water ejected from such faucet or pump will be in the form of a jet discharged in an upward direction†o enable the user of the fountain†o obtain a drink in a convenient and sanitary manner. Thus, the access of water should be facilitated for all, especially for the elderly with back problems or people with back injuries. In addition, it should not be required anymore to fill a glass with water prior rinsing the mouth. However, the invention should allow the user not to get in contact directly with the tap, thus also improving the hygiene factor. In addition, the tap should be easy†o install. Thus, it is a further object of the invention to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a portable or a† leas† removable mountable, sanitary drinking fountain which is simple in its construction and arrangement, compact, strong, durable, thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently attached and removed when occasion requires, readily assembled and inexpensive†o manufacture.

According to the present invention, these objects are achieved, particularly, with the features of the independent claims. In addition, further

advantageous embodiments can be derived from the dependent claims and the related descriptions.

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned objects for a tap or spray head device are achieved, particularly, in that, by means of the present invention, a tap or spray head device is provided comprising a pipe body with a canal where the fluid passes through, wherein the pipe body enables the fluid flow to exit of the tap head device vertically downwards when in closed position, and a head with a union nu† with a thread inside the union nu† that enables the tap head device†o be mounted on a tap system, further comprising a junctional body connecting the union nu††o the pipe body, wherein the junctional body and the connected the pipe body comprise a lateral passage allowing for a fluid exit and a central screw hole, further comprising a rotating main body encompassing the pipe body and being rotatable around the pipe body, the pipe body and the rotating main body are kept together by a screw inserted in the screw hole and preventing the rotating main body from falling apart from the pipe body, while a† the same time enabling the rotating main body†o rotate around the pipe body, further comprising a canal and a canal of the rotating main body that enable†o deviate the fluid flow laterally and upwards in an open position disabling a vertical fluid exit, wherein the rotation of the rotating main body moves the tap head device from the closed position that enables a vertical fluid exit and that closes a connecting aperture of the canal hermetically,†o the open position that enables†o deviate the fluid flow laterally and upwards and that closes a canal disabling the vertical fluid exit; and further comprising a trench milled in a base part of the rotating main body, said canal being part of the trench thereby providing for a smooth transition of the fluids flow between the closed and open position, and the aperture being situated vis-a-vis or a† leas† offset†o the trench, wherein for the open position, the main body is rotatable in such a way that the aperture communicates with the canal inside the pipe body. In particular, the tap or spray head device comprises a body with a canal where the fluid passes through, a body†o enable the fluid flow to exit the tap head device vertically downwards when in the position that enables a vertical fluid exit, a rotating body including a canal and a spout that enable†o deviate the fluid flow laterally and upwards in the position that enables a derivated fluid exit, a spout†o enable the fluid flow to exit the tap head device laterally and upwards in the position that enables a derivated fluid exit, and an union nut with a thread inside that enables the tap head device†o be mounted on an existing tap system. The tap head device can e.g. derivate laterally a water/fluids flow in a new trajectory having the shape of an inverted U-shaped curve or a parabolic shaped curve a† the exit of the tap head device. An inclined channel (compared†o the horizontal axis) can e.g.

enable the fluid†o pass through and then exit the device via a spout. A combination of main body, pipe body, gasket rings and gasket disk that e.g. enable the tap head device†o be hermetic†o undesired fluid leakage. The tap head device can e.g. be directly incorporated in a tap system. At leas† parts of the tap head device can e.g. be realized as plastic or metals and still presenting the same function as described previously. The tap head device’s orientation in any of the 360° direction of the horizontal plan can be defined during the attachment step of the tap head device†o the body of an existing tap, thus enabling the tap head device†o be used for right or let† handed users, or to deviate the water/fluid flow in any 360° direction of the horizontal plan. One of the advantages of the present system is that it enables†o ease the process for people†o reach the water or fluids flow with their months by deviating the water or fluids flow upwards and/or laterally from its initial direction. One of the advantages of the present system is that it enables†o stop the vertical water or fluids flow while in the position where the fluid is derivated laterally in a new trajectory. Since the vertical water or fluid flow is stopped during the use of the derivated flow, the invention allows†o save water. The invention does no† allow to have a vertical water or fluid flow and a† the same time a derivated water or fluid flow.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be explained in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the present invention showing the position where the wafer/fluids flow is not deviated and exit the present invention at the bottom;

Figure 3 is a top view of main body of the present invention;

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention belongs to the field of faucet accessories. The present invention relates to a tap spray head which is mounted (via screwing) on an existing tap, instead of the original spray head. The mounting of the present invention can be done with the help of a universal adapter that can be added info present invention union nut 1 . It is to note that several alternative versions of the same present invention can be manufactured, current section of this paten† application will focus on providing the detailed description on one possible embodiment. The present invention consists of a pipe body 2 with a canal 4 where the fluid flow can pass through, a union nut 1 that enables the present invention†o be mounted on an existing tap system, a main or rotating body 3 that can be rotated left or right by the users, the rotation will enable the derivation of the fluid flow, an aperture 6, a canal 7 and a canal 8 (with an optional filter) that enable the exit of the deviated fluid flow when the present invention is in the position that enables a derivated fluid exit. A junctional body 9 enables to connect the union nut 1 to the pipe body 2. The junctional body 9 is pressed inside the pipe body 2. The aperture 6 is hermetically sealed when the present invention is in the position that enables a vertical fluid exit. An optional filter 12 that can be mounted at the distal end of the main body 3 (for example, this filter 12 can be a frother filter) . For example, filter in canal 8 can be a frother filter.

The present invention consists of a pipe body 2 assembled together with a main body 3. The main body 3 is assembled via a screw 13 at the bottom of the pipe body 2. The main body 3 is a piece that can rotate around the pipe body 2. In the position that enables a vertical fluid exit, meaning the main body 3 is rotated in such a way that the aperture 6 is hermetically closed, the present invention lets the water or fluids flow pass through it vertically downwards through the canal 15 inside the main body 3. The water or fluids flow will then exit a† the distal end of the main body 3 through an optional filter 12. The present invention does no† allow to have a vertical water or fluid flow and a† the same time a derivated water or fluid flow. Or in another words the present invention enables†o stop the vertical water or fluids flow while in the position where the fluid is derivated laterally in a new trajectory. Thus saving water, since the vertical water or fluid flow is stopped during the use of the derivated flow. A trench 16 is milled in the main body 3, this trench 16 allows for a smooth transition of the water/fluids flow between the two positions (position that enables a vertical fluid exit & position that enables a derivated fluid exit) . When the present invention is in the position that enables a derivated fluid exit, meaning the main body 3 is rotated in such a way that the aperture 6 communicates with the canal 4 inside the pipe body, the present invention lets the water or fluids flow pass laterally through the aperture 6 and go inside the canal 7, then exit via canal 8. Finally, the water or fluids flow will exit a† the distal end of the main body 3 through canal 8 (with an optional filter). It is†o note that the water or fluids flow movement inside the present invention are dictated by gravity force, whereas the path that the water or fluids flow will follow is dictated by the canals design as explained in the current patent application. At the exit of the present invention the water/fluids trajectory will form an inverted U-shaped curve or a parabolic shaped curve. This parabolic shaped curve of water/fluids flow will firs† go upwards then inclines downward. I† is†o note that, when the present invention is in the position that enables a vertical fluid exit, the aperture 6 is hermetically closed and no water/fluids will be able†o exit via the canal 8. In the position that enables a vertical fluid exit, the side wall of the pipe body 2 will come in contact with the aperture 6 and closes the aperture 6 hermetically.

Other conventional taps deliver water or fluids downward vertically.

Eventually conventional taps can be modified with a tap head that slightly modifies the water flow laterally. Nonetheless the flow will remain downward and is still hardly accessible†o people that desire†o reach the water flow with their mouth to drink or rinse their mouth. A gasket ring 5 is placed around the pipe body 2. This gasket ring 5 is placed within a furrow. This furrow is carved around the pipe body 2. Another gasket ring 14 is placed within another furrow carved inside the main body 3. The function of gasket ring 14 is†o avoid fluid leakage between pipe body 2 and main body 3. Another gasket ring 10 is placed on the junctional body. The function of the gasket ring 10 is†o avoid fluid leakage a† the level of the screw 13. All gasket rings 5, 10 & 14 help prevent undesired wafer/fluids leakages. A gasket disk 1 1 is placed between the pipe body 2 and the main body 3. The gasket disk 1 1 is glued†o the pipe body 2. The function of the gasket disk 1 1 is†o enable the main body 3†o glide over the pipe body 2.

A screw 13 is used in order to avoid the main body 3 from falling apart from the pipe body 2. The screw 13 enables†o keep the pipe body 2 and the main body 3 together, while a† the same time enabling the main body 3†o rotate around the pipe body 2. The mounting of the present invention to an existing tap can be realized with the help of a universal adapter that can be added into present invention union nut 1 .

In summary, the tap head device comprises a pipe body 2 with a canal 4 where the fluid passes through. The pipe body 2 enables the fluid flow to exit of the tap head device vertically downwards when in closed position. A head with a union nut 1 with a thread inside the union nut 1 enables the tap head device†o be mounted on a tap system. A junctional body 9 connects the union nut 1†o the pipe body 2. The junctional body 9 and the connected the pipe body 2 comprise a lateral passage 18 allowing for a fluid exit and a central screw hole 19. A rotating main body 3

encompasses the pipe body 2 and is rotatable around the pipe body 2. The pipe body 2 and the rotating main body 3 are kept together by a screw 13 inserted in the screw hole 19 and preventing the rotating main body 3 from falling apart from the pipe body 2, while a† the same time enabling the rotating main body 3†o rotate around the pipe body 2. A canal 7 and a canal 8 of the rotating main body 3 enable†o deviate the fluid flow laterally and upwards in an open position disabling a vertical fluid exit. The rotating of the rotating main body 3 moves the tap head device from the closed position that enables a vertical fluid exit and closes a connecting aperture 6 of the canal 7 hermetically,†o the open position that enables†o deviate the fluid flow laterally and upwards and that closes a canal 15 disabling the vertical fluid exit. A trench 16 is milled in a base part 17 of the rotating main body 3. The canal 15 is part of the trench 16 thereby providing for a smooth transition of the fluids flow between the closed and open position, and the aperture 6 being situated vis-a-vis or at least offset†o the trench 16. For the open position, the main body 3 is rotatable in such a way that the aperture 6 communicates with the canal 4 inside the pipe body 2.

The present invention can be installed as an addition to an existing tap: for water taps with a female distal end, the use of a universal adapter enables the fixation of present invention to the water tap. In this case, the universal adapter firstly needs†o be installed†o the female end of the tap, then the present invention can be screwed via the union nut 1†o the universal adapter. In some cases, the present invention can be directly mounted via the union nut 1†o the tap and without needing a universal adapter. Besides the above installation, the present invention could be an all in one solution meaning manufacturing a water tap including the present invention.

The position of the deviated water flow can be easily defined during the original installation of the present invention: the user only needs†o position the aperture 6 in the direction where the deviated water flow should come out. The aperture 6 position within the pipe body 2 could be signalized†o the user with the help of a mark on the outside of the pipe body 2, the mark can be any given possible symbol e.g. a do† engraved on the proximal section of the pipe body 2. After installation, the deviated water/fluids flow will come out in the region where the aperture 6 meets the canal 7 of the main body 3. This is realized by rotating the main body 3 around the pipe body 2. It is†o note also, that the strength of the deviated water/fluids will be maximal when the aperture 6 and the canal 7 are perfectly aligned. By this mean, the user is able†o regulate the strength of the deviated water/fluids while rotating the main body 3 around the pipe body 2: the more the aperture 6 is aligned with the canal 7 the stronger the deviated water/fluids flow is.

As an additional embodiment variant, an adapted shell, in particular for example a plastic shell, can be added on top of the invention. The shell enables a user †o customize the device: for example the shell could be in any possible color with an elephant (or any other kind of printing) on it, if e.g. the use of the invention is indented for kids, etc...

Claims

1. A tap head device comprising a pipe body (2) with a canal (4) where the fluid passes through, wherein the pipe body (2) enables the fluid flow†o exit of the tap head device vertically downwards when in closed position, and a head with a union nut (1 ) with a thread inside the union nut (1 ) that enables the tap head device to be mounted on a tap system characterized by a junctional body (9) connecting the union nut (1 ) to the pipe body (2), wherein the junctional body (9) and the connected the pipe body (2) comprise a lateral passage (18) allowing for a fluid exit and a central screw hole (19), a rotating main body (3) encompassing the pipe body (2) and being rotatable around the pipe body (2), the pipe body (2) and the rotating main body (3) are kept together by a screw (13) inserted in the screw hole (19) and preventing the rotating main body (3) from falling apart from the pipe body (2), while at the same time enabling the rotating main body (3) to rotate around the pipe body (2), a canal (7) and a canal (8) of the rotating main body (3) that enable to deviate the fluid flow laterally and upwards in an open position disabling a vertical fluid exit, wherein the rotation of the rotating main body (3) moves the tap head device from the closed position that enables a vertical fluid exit and that closes a connecting aperture (6) of the canal (7) hermetically, to the open position that enables to deviate the fluid flow laterally and upwards and that closes a canal (15) disabling the vertical fluid exit; a french (16) milled in a base par† (17) of the rotating main body (3), said canal (15) being par† of the trench (16) thereby providing for a smooth transition of the fluids flow between the closed and open position, and the aperture (6) being situated vis-a-vis or at least offset to the trench (16), wherein for the open position, the main body (3) is rotatable in such a way that the aperture (6) communicates with the canal (4) inside the pipe body (2).

2. The tap head device according†o claim 1 , characterized, in that the tap head device deviates laterally a water/fluids flow in a new trajectory having the shape of an inverted U-shaped curve or a parabolic shaped curve at the exit of the tap head device.

3. The tap head device according to one of the claims 1†o 2,

characterized, in that the open position enables†o deviate the fluid flow laterally and upwards wherein the canal (15) is closed hermetically disabling the vertical fluid exit.

4. The tap head device according to one of the claims 1†o 2, characterized, in that the open position enables†o deviate the fluid flow laterally and upwards wherein the canal (15) is closed only partially, while partially disabling and partially enabling the vertical fluid exit.

5. The tap head device according to one of the claims 1†o 4, characterized, in that the tap head device is directly incorporated in a tap system.

6. The tap head device according to one of the claims 1†o 5, characterized, in that a† leas† parts of the tap head device are realized as plastic or metals.

7. The tap head device according to one of the claims 1†o 6, characterized, in that the junctional body (9) connecting the union nu† (1 )†o the pipe body (2) is pressed inside the pipe body (2) and vertically aligned and fixed with the pipe body (2).

8. The tap head device according to one of the claims 1†o 7, characterized, in that a filter (12) is mounted a† the distal end of the main body (3) .

9. The tap head device according to claim 8, characterized, in that said filter (12) is realized as a frother filter.

10. The tap head device according to one of the claims 1†o 9, characterized, in that a filter is realized within the canal (4).

1 1 . The tap head device according to claim 10, characterized, in that said filter of canal (8) is realized as a frother filter.

12. The tap head device according to one of the claims 1 to 1 1 , characterized, in that a gasket ring (5) is placed around the pipe body (2), wherein the gasket ring (5) is placed within a furrow, the furrow being carved around the pipe body (2) .

13. The tap head device according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized, in that a gasket ring (14) is placed within a furrow carved inside the rotating main body (3), wherein the gasket ring (14) provides avoidance of fluid leakage between pipe body (2) and rotating main body (3).

14. The tap head device according to one of the claims 1 to 13, characterized, in that a gasket ring (10) is placed on the junctional body (9), wherein the gasket ring (10) provides avoidance of fluid leakage a† the level of the screw (13).

15. The tap head device according to one of the claims 1 to 14, characterized, in that a gasket disk (1 1 ) is placed between the pipe body (2) and the rotating main body (3), the gasket disk (1 1 ) enabling the rotating main body (3)†o glide over the pipe body (2).

16. The tap head device according to claim 15, characterized, in that said gasket disk ( 1 1 ) is glued†o the pipe body (2) .