EP4305255A1 - Robinet multifonctionnel - Google Patents

Robinet multifonctionnel

Info

Publication number
EP4305255A1
EP4305255A1 EP21799314.6A EP21799314A EP4305255A1 EP 4305255 A1 EP4305255 A1 EP 4305255A1 EP 21799314 A EP21799314 A EP 21799314A EP 4305255 A1 EP4305255 A1 EP 4305255A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tap
functional
stem
water
air
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21799314.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Patrick Henderson
Alexander Gent
Richard DENBURY
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wallgate Ltd
Original Assignee
Wallgate Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wallgate Ltd filed Critical Wallgate Ltd
Publication of EP4305255A1 publication Critical patent/EP4305255A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/04—Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths
    • E03C1/046—Adding soap, disinfectant, or the like in the supply line or at the water outlet
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/05—Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps
    • E03C1/055—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
    • E03C1/057—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like touchless, i.e. using sensors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K2210/00—Combinations of water taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to multi-functional taps, particularly taps configured to dispense water, soap and air.
  • the present invention accordingly provides in a first aspect a multi- functional tap comprising: i) a tap stem having an outer wall which defines an elongate internal cavity (optionally a single cavity) extending therethrough and having an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end of the tap stem being configured to be secured to a support surface; ii) a plurality of outlets provided at the downstream end of the tap stem and comprising a water outlet, a liquid soap outlet and an air outlet; iii) a sensor (optionally a single sensor, i.e.
  • the tap stem configured to initiate a timed cycle of water, liquid soap and air dispensing from the respective outlets; and iv) a water conduit, a liquid soap conduit and an air conduit extending from the upstream end to the downstream end of the tap stem inside the single cavity to provide water, liquid soap and air to the respective outlets.
  • the great benefit of the timed cycle is that the managers of a facility are able to fully control the sequence and timing of the operation of the tap arrangement e.g. to reduce power or water use or, in circumstances where more extensive hand washing is necessary (for example during the Covid 19 pandemic when government recommendations were issued on duration of hand washing) to increase supply of soap, water or air during the hand washing timed cycle.
  • the senor has a wire which is housed inside the cavity of the tap stem.
  • the sensor is a motion sensor, a photoelectric sensor and/or an IR sensor, the sensitivity of which is preferably adjustable.
  • the liquid soap conduit has an additional conduit for air in order for the soap outlet to dispense foamed soap.
  • the wall of the tap stem incorporates one or more removable cover sections for enabling access to the single cavity.
  • a manifold block is provided in the cavity at the downstream end of the tap stem, the conduits being connected to inlet ports of the manifold, which ports feed the respective water, liquid soap and air outlets.
  • the manifold block is accessible via said one or more cover sections and removable from the cavity in the tap stem.
  • the outlets are all in close proximity to each other and preferably the air outlet is in the form of an elongate slot which is transverse to the lengthwise axis of the tap stem.
  • the upstream end of the tap stem incorporates a wall-mounting plate and the tap stem extends optionally in a generally straight line, preferably transverse (and more preferably substantially perpendicular) to the mounting plate from the upstream end to the downstream end.
  • the tap stem has an upstream first section and a downstream second section which is angled with respect to the first section, the outlets being provided in the downstream second section and the single cavity extending along both first and second sections.
  • the tap is associated with a control unit.
  • the tap may be in communication with and/or may comprise the control unit.
  • the control unit may comprise an electronic controller which communicates with the sensor.
  • the control unit may comprise a water valve, a liquid soap pump and a controllable air supply all being controllable by the controller to deliver water, liquid soap and air to the respective outlets.
  • the water valve, the liquid soap pump and the controllable air supply may be controllable by the controller according to said timed cycle.
  • the controller may be adapted to control the operation of the water valve, the liquid soap pump and the controllable air supply, preferably in response to a signal from the sensor.
  • the controller may be adapted to control the operation of the water valve, the liquid soap pump and the controllable air supply by controlling the time of operation and/or sequence of operation thereof.
  • the controller may further comprise an input means.
  • the tap arrangement may further comprise indicia to indicate the operation of the tap arrangement, optionally comprising one or more lights to illuminate the indicia and/or the hands of a user in use.
  • the electronic controller is configured to effect periodic purges of at least the water conduit and water outlet optionally without activation of the sensor.
  • the controller may generally comprise one or more microprocessors and memory components (e.g. non-volatile memory) and may be programmed to control the operation of the air blower, soap dispenser, and/or water dispenser in response to a signal from the sensor.
  • memory components e.g. non-volatile memory
  • the controller will be adapted so that the operation of the air blower, soap dispenser, and/or water dispenser comprises the time of operation and/or the sequence of operation of one or more of these components.
  • the controller may be adapted so that the timing of each of the component parts of the hand washing procedure and the sequence of the procedure is controllable through the controller.
  • a typical hand washing procedure will generally begin with user placing their hands under the tap. Such placement is detected by the sensor which then sends a signal to the controller. This results in the operation of a predetermined hand-washing sequence that may be: soap being dispensed for set period of time and/or in a predetermined volume, a pause, water being dispensed for a set period of time, a pause and then air flow being initiated in order to dry the hands of the user.
  • the arrangement may further comprise input means for the controller.
  • Input means for the controller will usually comprise a means of communication to the controller that may be a computer or a control panel for providing control signals and programming e.g. the microprocessor of the controller.
  • Further input means may comprise further sensors in the water, soap or air supply systems (e.g. flow rate, level and/or temperature sensors) and clock means (e.g. a real time clock and/or timing mechanism) to enable the sequence and timing of the various operations of the apparatus to be controlled.
  • the controller may be by wired connection and/or by wireless communication.
  • the controller may be in communication with the sensor, the water valve, the liquid soap pump and the controllable air supply (and/or other components) using for example Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or other wireless communication to communicate settings changes, operation counts, feedback on fault finding to and from the engine/tap/controller.
  • Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a tap arrangement according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the tap shown in figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a side view of a visible part of the tap of figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is an underside view of the tap of figure 2;
  • Figure 5 is a top plan view of the tap of figure 1 ;
  • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through the tap of figure 2;
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of the tap of figure 5 with a cross-section removed;
  • Figure 8 is a top plan view of the view shown in figure 7;
  • Figures 9 to 11 are sections through a manifold block incorporated in the tap of figure 8, taken on lines X-X, Y-Y and Z-Z of figure 8;
  • Figure 12 is an enlarged underside view of the manifold block shown in figures 9 to 11 ;
  • Figure 13 is a perspective view of another tap according to the present invention together with ancillary items;
  • Figure 14 is a perspective view similar to figure 13 without a basin/counter;
  • Figure 15 is a perspective view of the tap of figure 13;
  • Figure 16 is a side view of the tap of figure 15;
  • Figure 17 is a top plan view of the tap of figure 15;
  • Figure 18 is an under plan view of the tap of figure 15.
  • Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view through a stem of the tap of figure 15.
  • two primary embodiments of a tap arrangement are disclosed, the first being an arrangement in which a multi-functional tap 10 is intended to be attached to and projecting from a wall surface (not shown) such that the tap 10 is preferably disposed over a basin (not shown) or other means for containing or collecting or disposing of water from the tap.
  • the second arrangement is for a multi-functional tap 10’ which is to be attached to a basin 11 or a counter surface adjacent a basin.
  • FIGS 1 to 8 show a multi-functional tap 10 which has a tap stem 12 defined by an outer wall section 13. Ideally, the wall section will be made from metal but other materials such as plastic are possible.
  • the tap stem 12 has a downstream end 14 and an upstream end 15.
  • the tap stem 12 is an optional mounting plate 16 intended to lie flush with a wall to which the tap 10 is to be mounted.
  • there is an additional mounting plate 17 which is intended to lie on the other side of the wall the mounting plate 17 is adjustably secured to the tap stem 12 by threaded bolts 42/nuts so that tap stem 12 is clamped to the wall by tightening the nuts in order to move the mounting plate 17 into tight engagement with the wall which is disposed between the mounting plates 16, 17.
  • the wall section 13 defines an elongate single cavity 18 inside the tap stem 12.
  • the cavity 18 extends from the upstream end 15 to the downstream end 14 of the tap stem 12.
  • the wall section incorporates a removable cover section 13a which can be removed as shown in figures 7 and 8 in order to enable access to the cavity 18 and then replaced.
  • the cover section 13a may be secured to the remaining part of the wall section 13 by a number of methods such as resilient clips or screws/bolts (not shown).
  • the single cavity is a simple construction requiring minimal tooling and results in improved hygiene, the single cavity being easier to clean and maintain.
  • the cover section 13a is ideally provided on an upward facing surface so that maintenance is easier (see later).
  • the internal cavity 18 provides a volume for receiving a number of conduits.
  • a water conduit 20 a liquid soap conduit 21 and an air conduit 22.
  • the cavity 18 also houses a wire 23 for a single sensor 20.
  • the conduits 20-22 and the wire 23 extend upstream along the cavity where they exit the tap stem 12 and connect to an ‘engine’ 24 which controls and supplies the water, soap and air to the multi-functional tap 10.
  • the engine 24 is ideally hidden from sight, perhaps in a cabinet or behind the wall.
  • the engine 24 will incorporate suitable valves (that may be operated by solenoids) and/or pumps for water and soap, the valves control the water supply from a source of water such as mains water and soap supply from a source of soap perhaps housed in a soap container/reservoir 19.
  • the engine 24 may have an internal power source such as a battery or may be wired to, or plugged into (as shown), a source of mains electricity.
  • the engine 24 also contains an electronic controller (not shown in detail) for controlling the supply of water and soap to the conduits 20, 21 and the supply of air for hand-drying to the air conduit 22 via a suitable air fan or other type of air pump device.
  • the sensor wire 23 will also be connected to the electronic controller for initiating cycles of the water/soap/air. Variations on the precise nature of the engine/controller will be readily apparent, depending on the requirements of the tap/washing cycle.
  • the water, soap and air conduits 20-22 lead to respective water, soap and air outlets 25, 26, 27 at the downstream end of the tap 10. These outlets 25-27 are directed downwardly when the tap 10 is correctly installed and are clearly visible in figure 4, as is the single sensor 30.
  • the sensor 30 may be a motion sensor or an IR sensor, although other types of sensor may be possible. The intention is that a user can place a hand in proximity to the sensor 30 or move a hand close to the sensor 30 in order to activate a washing cycle of the tap 10.
  • the illustrated embodiment includes an optional additional air conduit 28 which feeds into the soap conduit 21 . This additional air conduit 28 enables the tap 10 to dispense foamed liquid soap.
  • the additional air conduit 28 enables the tap 10 to dispense foamed liquid soap.
  • the conduits 20-22 are connected using suitable fixings to a manifold block 35 which may be made from a rigid plastic or other suitable material.
  • the manifold block 35 has various channels 36 for enabling flow of water, soap and air to the respective outlets 25-27, the channels 36 being more clearly shown in figures 9 to 11.
  • the manifold block 35 also houses the sensor 30 and has a dedicated channel 36 for the sensor wire 23.
  • the manifold block has channels 36 for water and soap and the sensor wire 23/sensor 30.
  • Air is delivered directly from the air conduit 22 to the air outlet 27 which is formed as an opening in the wall section 13 of the tap stem 12.
  • the air outlet 27 is an elongate slot which is generally transverse to the lengthwise axis of the tap stem 12, but alternative shapes of air outlet are possible.
  • the manifold block 35 can be accessed via the removable cover section 13a for maintenance and can be disconnected from the water and soap conduits 20, 21 for maintenance, replacement etc.
  • the cover section 13a being on an upward facing surface provides optimal access to the cavity 18 and the manifold block 35.
  • the underside of the manifold block 35 may be covered with a suitable plate 37 secured to the manifold block 35 with bolts/screws 38 as shown in figure 12.
  • the plate 37 has suitable openings for the outlets 20, 21 and sensor 30.
  • the user will activate the single sensor 30 and this will cause the controller/engine to initiate an entire washing cycle depending on how the controller is programmed.
  • the controller may initiate a fixed cycle which provides a delivery of water for a predetermined time, then a delivery of soap, then a delivery of rinsing water after giving a period of time for hand-washing, and then a delivery of air for a predetermined period of time.
  • Alternative cycles are of course possible dependent on requirements. Only one initiation of the single sensor 30 is required in order to provide all hand-washing requirements, i.e. water, soap, air.
  • outlets 25-27 are in close proximity so that users do not have to move their hands between outlets. If there is excessive movement between outlets then a user can ‘miss’ all or part of a dispensing cycle. For example, they may miss the delivery of soap if their hands are in the wrong place.
  • the sensor 30 is adjacent the outlets 25-27 and is also facing downwardly so that when the tap cycle is activated, the user’s hands are already in position below the outlets 25-27. This is more effective than the sensor 30 being in a different location such as on the top or the side of the tap or on an adjacent wall/counter surface.
  • the tap stem 12 has been shown as straight and perpendicular to the wall mounting plate, the tap stem 12 could be other shapes and cross- sections and designed to extend from the supporting wall in a non-perpendicular manner.
  • the tap 10’ which has many similar features to the tap 10 described above.
  • the tap 10’ is to be used in conjunction with an ‘engine’ 24 incorporating pumps and an electronic controller which connects to the single sensor 30 located at the downstream end of the tap 10’.
  • the tap 10’ is intended to be secured directly to a basin 11 surround or to a counter surface adjacent a basin, as shown in figure 13 which also shows the engine 24 disposed below the counter.
  • the tap stem 12 of tap 10’ also has an outer wall section 13, an upstream end 15 and a downstream end 14, with the outer wall section defining an elongate single cavity 18 in which the conduits 20-22 and sensor wire 23 are received.
  • the main difference with the tap 10’ is that the tap stem 12 has two interconnected sections, a first or upstream section 40 which is generally upstanding from the basin 10 and a second or downstream section 40 which is angled relative to the first section 40 so that the extreme downstream end of the second section 41 is disposed above the recessed part of the basin in a conventional manner.
  • the single cavity 18 is continuous and extends all the way through both sections from the upstream end of the first section 40 to the downstream end of the second section 41.
  • the extreme upstream end or mounting end of the first section 40 is also modified depending on the chosen method of attachment to the basin, but can, as illustrated, include the mounting plate 17 adjustably secured to the first section 40 by threaded bolts 42/nuts so that the basin or counter is clamped between the first section 40 and the mounting plate by tightening the nuts to move the plate 17 closer to the first section 40.
  • the first section 40 may or may not incorporate an integral mounting plate at its extreme upstream end.
  • the tap 10’ incorporates a removable cover section 13a and the water and soap conduits 20, 21 and the sensor wire 23 extend to a manifold block 35 which can be accessed via the removable cover 13a for maintenance purposes.
  • conduits/outlets are provided for each service (i.e. water, soap, air) it is possible to have more conduits/outlets or fewer conduits/outlets (if for example services share one or more outlets/conduits) as required.
  • the water feed may have separate hot and cold conduits/outlets or separate air feeds may supply separate air outlets.
  • the controller can be programmed to run alternative washing cycles or to run periodic purges of one or more conduits/outlets, which purges would operate without actuation by the single sensor 30.
  • the controller can also be used to record use data relating to the tap, such as frequency of use and popular use times, which can be used to determine maintenance cycles and the periodic hygiene purges mentioned above.
  • the user places their hands under the tap which is detected by the sensor resulting in a signal from the sensor to the controller.
  • the controller operates the soap pump to release a measured quantity of soap (either foamed or un-foamed depending on how the owner/installer/manager arranges the respective settings).

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un robinet multifonctionnel qui comprend une tige pourvue d'une extrémité amont et d'une extrémité aval, l'extrémité amont de la tige de robinet étant conçue pour être fixée à une surface de support ; une pluralité de sorties disposées à l'extrémité aval de la tige de robinet et comprenant une sortie d'eau, une sortie de savon liquide et une sortie d'air ; un capteur formé par la tige de robinet et conçu pour initier un cycle temporisé de distribution d'eau, de savon liquide et d'air à partir des sorties respectives ; et un conduit d'eau, un conduit de savon liquide et un conduit d'air s'étendant de l'extrémité amont à l'extrémité aval de la tige de robinet à l'intérieur de la cavité pour amener de l'eau, du savon liquide et de l'air aux sorties respectives.
EP21799314.6A 2021-03-10 2021-10-01 Robinet multifonctionnel Pending EP4305255A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB2103337.8A GB202103337D0 (en) 2021-03-10 2021-03-10 Multi-functional tap
PCT/GB2021/052545 WO2022189763A1 (fr) 2021-03-10 2021-10-01 Robinet multifonctionnel

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4305255A1 true EP4305255A1 (fr) 2024-01-17

Family

ID=75472526

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21799314.6A Pending EP4305255A1 (fr) 2021-03-10 2021-10-01 Robinet multifonctionnel

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4305255A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB202103337D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2022189763A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB201110571D0 (en) 2011-06-22 2011-08-03 Wallgate Ltd Hand cleaning apparatus
CN204962012U (zh) 2015-07-23 2016-01-13 厦门建霖工业有限公司 实现感应出皂液、出水、吹风的龙头
CN208982768U (zh) * 2018-07-25 2019-06-14 厦门匠仕工业设计有限公司 一种多功能感应龙头
WO2020146611A1 (fr) 2019-01-11 2020-07-16 Bradley Fixtures Corporation Accessoire à fonctions multiples pour système de lavabo
CN210153309U (zh) * 2019-07-03 2020-03-17 佛山东鹏洁具股份有限公司 一种多功能水龙头
CN211155477U (zh) * 2019-09-20 2020-08-04 江门市欧锐智能科技有限公司 给皂器
CN212452930U (zh) * 2020-06-01 2021-02-02 平顶山学院 用于公共卫生场所的多功能小体积水龙头

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2022189763A1 (fr) 2022-09-15
GB202103337D0 (en) 2021-04-21

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