GB2364238A

GB2364238A - A shower head

Info

Publication number: GB2364238A
Application number: GB0009857A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Ralph Slingo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-25
Filing date: 2000-04-25
Publication date: 2002-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2020-04-25
Also published as: GB2364238B; GB0009857D0

Abstract

A shower head 1 comprises liquid outlets (131, Fig 4) and cleaning means 14 disposed so as not to interfere with emission of liquid from the liquid outlets (131, Fig 4). Preferably dispensing means 4 are provided for introducing a cleaning agent into the liquid output through the liquid outlets. Preferably the cleaning means is a brush 14 disposed to form a continuous wall round the periphery of the outlet portion. The dispensing means 4 may be disposed in the liquid flow path between a valve or stop cock and the shower head 1. Preferably the dispensing means is provided with switching means 41 arranged to be switchable between a first state in which no cleaning agent is introduced into the liquid and a second state in which cleaning agent is introduced into the liquid. The cleaning agent may be a liquid or a solid mixed, in suspension or dissolved with the liquid emitted by the outlets. The shower head may aid cleaning and washing for humans and animals.

Description

2364238 Showeg Heads This invention relates to shower heads and showers

including shower heads which are typically used for 5 washing the human body.

There is a large range of conventional shower heads which may be used in conjunction with various forms of shower to deliver a desired power, amount and distribution of 10 water to the human body for washing etc. However, each of these conventional shower heads is limited to the deliverance of water and does not comprise any specific means to aid in washing or cleaning.

15 It is an object of the present invention to provide a shower head and/or a shower having features particularly directed to aiding cleaning and/or washing.

According to one aspect of the present invention there 20 is provided a shower head comprising liquid outlets and cleaning means which are so disposed as to not interfere with emission of liquid from the liquid outlets. Hence, the cleaning means do not ef f ect normal shower operation.

25 Preferably the shower head is of a type used for washing human beings and/or animals.

The shower head may comprise an outlet portion in which the liquid outlets are provided.

The cleaning means may be disposed around the periphery 5 of the outlet portion.

The width of the cleaning means in a direction perpendicular to the periphery of the outlet portion may be small compared to the size of the outlet portion. A 10 majority of the outlet portion may be free from cleaning means.

The cleaning means may comprise a brush. The brush may be provided so as to form a continuous wall around the 15 periphery of the outlet portion.

In a development of the present invention there is provided a shower comprising a shower head according to said one aspect of the present invention and dispensing 20 means for introducing a cleaning agent into liquid to be output through the liquid outlets.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a shower comprising a shower head 25 comprising liquid outlets; and dispensing means for introducing a cleaning agent into liquid to be output through the liquid outlets.

Preferably the dispensing means is disposed in the liquid flow path between a valve or stop cock controlling the liquid to be delivered to the shower head and the shower head itself.

The dispensing means may be provided with switching means The switching means may bearranged to be switchable between a f irst state in which no cleaning agent is introduced into the liquid and a second state 10 in which cleaning agent is introduced into the liquid.

Normally, the liquid emitted by the liquid outlets will be water or water and cleaning agent.

15 The cleaning agent may be liquid or solid.

The cleaning agent may, for example, be mixed with, dissolved in, or in suspension with the liquid to be emitted by the liquid outlets.

The dispensing means may comprise a compartment in which a bar of soap can be placed. The arrangement may be such that hot water is directed over the bar of soap and the resulting liquid passes on to the shower head.

The shower may comprise a conventional electric shower 4 control which can comprise an element to heat the water. The dispensing means may be disposed in the liquid flow path between the shower control and the shower head.

5 The provision of cleaning means and/or the deliverance of cleaning agent: to the shower head can make cleaning or washing easier and/or more effective.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be 10 described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a shower unit including dispensing means and a shower head;

Figure 2 shows the shower unit shown in Figure 1 when in use; Figure 3 is a side view of the shower head shown in 20 Figure 1; and Figure 4 is an underside view of the shower head shown in Figure 1.

25 As shown in Figures I and 2, a shower unit generally comprises a shower head 1, support means 2 for supporting the shower head 1, a connecting hose 3 connecting the shower head 1 to dispensing means 4, and a shower control 5 connected to the dispensing means 4 by a pipe 6.

5 Referring particularly to Figures 3 and 4 the shower head 1 comprises a handle portion 11, a dome portion 12, and an outlet portion 13. The outlet portion 13 is generally circular and is provided with a plurality of liquid outlets 131. A brush 14 which acts as cleaning means is 10 provided around a periphery of the outlet portion 13. A screw 132 is provided to fix the outlet portion 13 to the remainder of the shower head 1.

The brush 14 comprises a plurality of bristles which form 15 a continuous wall around the whole of the periphery of the outlet portion 13. The bristles of the brush 14 are of such a nature that they are comfortable when contacting with the skin. The width of the brush 14 in a radial direction of the outlet portion 13 is narrow 20 relative to the radius of the outlet portion 13.

one end of the connecting hose 3 connects to an end of the handle portion 11 which is remote from the outlet portion 13. Another end of the connecting hose 3 is 25 connected to the output of the dispensing means 4. An input of the dispensing means 4 is connected via the pipe 6 6 to the shower control 5.

The dispensing means 4 comprises a compartment (not shown) in which a bar of soap (not shown) can be disposed 5 and a switch 41 and associated switching means (not shown) which is arranged to selectively direct water over the bar of soap (not shown) or past the bar of soap (not shown) without contacting with it.

10 The shower control 5 contains a heating element (not shown) and various controls as found in any conventional shower control unit. The shower control 5 is used f or heating and pumping the water in a controlled manner to deliver the desired amount of water at the correct 15 temperature to the shower head 1.

In use as shown in Figure 2, a user U can wash himself using the shower head 1. Water is delivered by the shower head 1 in exactly the same way as if the brush 14 20 were not present, however, the brush 14 can be used to perform a cleaning operation by using appropriate motions with the brush 14 in contact with the skin.

Alternatively, because the emission of water from the 25 shower head 1 is unaffected by the brush 14, the shower can also be used in the conventional way.

Further, it is possible to choose whether soapy water or clean water is to be delivered to the shower head 1. If the switch 41 is switched so that water from the shower control 5 flows over the bar of soap (not shown) 5 then soapy water will be delivered to the shower head 1 and this can be used for washing. However, if the switch 41 is switched so that the water from the shower control bypasses the bar of soap (not shown) then clean water will be delivered to the shower head 1 and brush 14. The clean water can be used to wash soap off the user.

In alternatives, different cleaning agents can be used, which may be liquid or solid. Alternative forms of dispensing means can be arranged for use with particular 15 cleaning agents.

The cleaning means need not be a brush and can for example comprise a sponge or appropriate pieces of cloth.

20 The outlet portion of the shower head need not be circular, it can, for example, be generally square or rectangular. The cleaning means may be provided additionally or alternatively at various positions on the outlet portion of the shower head, for example at the 25 centre. The periphery can be free of cleaning means.

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