GB2475045A

GB2475045A - A mixing unit which sucks liquid soap and air into the flowing water

Info

Publication number: GB2475045A
Application number: GB0919220A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter White; Paul Taylor; Gary Doyle
Original assignee: Innovations 28 Ltd
Current assignee: Innovations 28 Ltd
Priority date: 2009-11-03
Filing date: 2009-11-03
Publication date: 2011-05-11
Also published as: GB0919220D0

Abstract

A mixing unit has a conduit 16 with a water inlet (see arrow A), a water outlet 22 and a venturi 24 positioned between the water inlet and outlet, a fluid inlet 32 and an air inlet 40, 50, wherein the air inlet is located downstream of said fluid inlet and is distinct from it. The venturi has a convergent and divergent portion, and possibly a parallel-sided portion in between. The air vent / inlet 40, 50 is provided on the divergent or the parallel-sided portion, preferably spaced from the conduit walls. An air inlet tube may span the conduit diameter. A fluid reservoir 18 is preferably coupled to the fluid inlet via a variable valve 38. Ideally the mixing unit is used in a shower, the water flow sucking up liquid soap as the water flows through the venturi, the flow also aspirating. The soap container 18 may be shaped so as to snap-fit onto the mixing conduit.

Description

Mixing Unit and Shower Unit The present invention relates to a mixing unit for mixing water, and fluid, and air.

The water may feed a shower head. In one example the liquid is liquid soap.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a shower head including a mixing unit. The mixing unit is capable of mixing water, a liquid, such as liquid soap and air.

Mixing units are known to be used in conjunction with shower heads for mixing a fluid, such as liquid soap with air and the shower water.

US4218013 shows a shower head fluid dispenser wherein liquid soap is admitted into a parallel section of pipe. Air is also admitted into the same parallel section of pipe at the same axial location via a distinct air inlet. In order to reduce the amount of soap being admitted more air is admitted and vice versa.

US5356076 shows a system where air and liquid soap are premixed and then admitted into a water stream through a single inlet. US4623095 also shows a system where air liquid soap can be prernixed and then admitted into the water stream through a single inlet.

In all of the above three mentioned shower units the air and liquid soap are admitted at the same axial position.

In all of the above three mentioned shower units a complicated system of varying the amount of air being admitted is used.

In all of the above three mentioned shower units the air and/or liquid soap is admitted into the water stream at the edge of the water stream, i.e. at the wall of the pipe through which the water flows.

In US4623095 and US5356076 the bottle containing the liquid soap is attached to the mixing unit only at an end, leaving the rest of the bottle unsupported. In US42 18013 a completely separate mounting for the bottle is required, this separate mounting being expensive.

In all of the above three mentioned shower units the venturi anangement is fitted immediately adjacent to the shower head and the inlet to the venturi is above the outlet from the venturi. As such, the system for administering soap is positioned relatively high in the shower cubicle. As such, relatively short people and children find it difficult to reach.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mixing unit that uses air to mix water and a liquid.

Another object of the present invention to provide a system wherein the amount of liquid being used can be carefully controlled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simplified air inlet system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air inlet system which is better able to mix water and a liquid.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a liquid reservoir which can be readily coupled and decoupled from the mixing unit.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a shower unit wherein the controls of the shower unit can be positioned relatively low when compared with the shower head.

Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a mixing unit having a conduit with a water inlet, a water outlet, a venturi positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet, a fluid inlet, and an air inlet, the fluid inlet being distinct from the air inlet, the air inlet being positioned downstream of the fluid inlet.

Advantageously with the air inlet being positioned downstream of the fluid inlet, the air is able to thoroughly mix the fluid with the water.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a shower unit having a shower head and a mixing unit having a conduit with a water inlet, a water outlet, a venturi positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet, a fluid inlet, and an air inlet, the shower head being connected to the water outlet, with the water inlet being positioned below the venturi and the water outlet being positioned above the venturi.

Advantageously orientating the water inlet and water outlet in this manner allows the mixing unit to be readily positioned at any vertical height relative to the shower head, and in particular allows the mixing unit to be positioned at an adults waist height, thereby allowing a child to readily operate the mixing unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mixing unit having a conduit with a water inlet, a water outlet, a venturi positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet, a fluid inlet, and an air inlet, a fluid reservoir being coupled to the fluid inlet via a variable valve, the fluid inlet being distinct from the air inlet.

Advantageously the variable valve can be operated to control the amount of fluid entering the water stream without the need to vary the air inlet.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mixing unit having a conduit with a water inlet, a water outlet, a venturi positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet, a fluid inlet, and an air inlet, the fluid inlet being distinct from the air inlet, the air inlet being a fixed air inlet.

Advantageously by defining a distinct fluid inlet and a distinct air inlet and by providing an air inlet that is a fixed air inlet, i.e. an air inlet is not variable, provides a relatively cheap system for admitting air which is unaffected by an amount of fluid entering the water.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided A mixing unit having a conduit with a water inlet, a water outlet, a venturi positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet, a fluid inlet, and an air inlet, the conduit having a conduit wall defining a bore and the air inlet being at least positioned in the bore and remote from the conduit wall.

Advantageously, by providing the air inlet remote from the wall, for example at the centre of the water flow provides for better mixing.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mixing unit having a conduit with a water inlet, a water outlet, a venturi positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet, a fluid inlet, and an air inlet, a fluid reservoir being coupled to the fluid inlet, the fluid reservoir being at least partially held in place by a snap fit connection between the reservoir and the conduit.

Advantageously, creating a snap fit connection provides a system whereby the reservoir can be easily mounted and demounted.

The mixing unit may further include a fluid reservoir coupled to the fluid inlet by a variable valve.

Advantageously, the amount of fluid entering the water stream may be carefully controlled without the need to vary the amount of air entering the water stream.

In one embodiment the mixing unit may have an air inlet which is a fixed air inlet.

Advantageously, by providing a fixed air inlet, i.e. an air inlet that is not variable, it is possible to produce a system which is less complicated and therefore cheaper.

In one embodiment the conduit may have a conduit wall defining a bore and the air inlet may be at least positioned in the bore and remote from the conduit wall.

In one embodiment the ait inlet may be provided at a plurality of locations within the bore.

Advantageously by providing a plurality of locations, spaced across the bore and remote from the wall provides improved mixing.

In one embodiment the plurality of holes may face the water outlet.

Advantageously by orientating the holes to face the outlet the flow characteristics of the water around the tube, or the like defining the holes improves the venturi effect.

In one embodiment a fluid reservoir may be coupled to the fluid inlet, the fluid reservoir may be at least partially held in place by snap fit connection between the reservoir and conduit.

In one embodiment the mixing unit may be used in conjunction with a shower head with the shower head being connected to the water outlet and with the water inlet being positioned below the venturi and the water outlet being positioned above the venturi.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is an isometric view taken from above of a mixing unit according to the present invention and of a shower head according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a front view of figure 1, Figure 3 is a front view of part of the mixing unit of figure 1, Figure 4 is a top view of figure 3, Figure 5 is a front view of a liquid reservoir of figure 1, Figure 6 is a top view of figure 5, Figure 7 is a section view of part of the mixing unit of figure 1, Figure 8 is an enlarged view of part of figure 7, Figure 9 is an isometric view of a valve of figure 1, Figure 10 is an end view of figure 9, and Figure 11 is a cross-section of figure 10 taken along line BB.

With reference to the figures there is shown having a shower head 12 and a mixing unit 14.

The shower head 12 is a conventional shower head and any known shower head could be used in place of shower head 12.

The mixing unit 14 includes a conduit 16 and a fluid reservoir 18.

Turning to figures 7 and 8, the conduit 16 includes a water inlet 20, a water outlet 22 and a venturi 24. The venturi includes a convergent portion 26, a parallel sided portion 28 and a divergent portion 30.

In this case the water inlet 20 and water outlet 22 have parallel sided portions.

The conduit 16 defines a bore 34 having a wall 36. A liquid inlet 32 is defined in the wall 36, in particular in the parallel sided portion 28. The liquid inlet 32 is connected to fluid reservoir 18 (shown schematically in figure 7) via a variable valve 38 (shown schematically in figure 7).

An air inlet 40 is also provided. The air inlet 40 is defined in tube 42. Tube 42 has a blind end 44 and an open end 46 defined by flange 48. The tube 42 has a series of holes 50 positioned laterally relative to an axis of the tube. The tube itself is orientated laterally relative to the main axis of the bore 34. The holes 50 therefore face the water outlet 22. As will be appreciated, there is no means of adjusting the amount of air entering the air inlet, i.e. the air inlet is a fixed air inlet.

The fluid reservoir 18 is a bottle having an outlet 52 (shown schematically on figure 7) and a vent hole 54.

As shown in figure 6 the bottle has an open sided recess 56. The recess is a re-entrant recess, ie. the mouth 58 of the recess is narrower than the general diameter 60 of the recess. The bottle is made from a plastics material which is flexible. The bottle has a volume for receiving a liquid (i.e. it has a liquid receiving portion). Part of that volume sunounds recess 56. Tn this case angle B is 270 degrees, i.e. the liquid receiving portion of the bottle sunounds recess 56 by 270 degrees. In further embodiments the volume could surround recess 56 by more than 180 degrees, preferably the volume surrounds the recess by more than 250 degrees.

As shown in figure 3, the conduit 16 has an outer surface 17 in this case a cylindrical outer surface. The diameter of outer surface 17 is slightly less than the general diameter 60 but greater than the opening 62 of the mouth 58.

A tube 64 has an end 66 which is received in outlet 52 of the bottle.

In order to assemble the bottle onto the mixing unit the outlet 52 is positioned near end 66 and the bottle is then pushed downwardly so that end 66 enters outlet 52.

Simultaneously with the downward movement of the bottle, the bottle is also moved towards the conduit 16 such that the mouth 58 is pushed around the outer surface 17 and snap fits onto the conduit such that the outer surface 17 is received, within the recess 56. Thus, the weight of the bottle and its contents can be taken by abutments on the bottom of the bottle contacting abutment 67 on the mixing unit and the bottle is prevented from falling sideways or forwards by the snap fit connection. In this manner the bottle can be easily coupled to and decoupled from the mixing unit.

Valve 38 includes a handle portion 70 and a cylinder 72 having a through hole 74.

The cylinder 72 is a friction fit in a bore 75 of the mixing unit. Bore 75 has diametrically opposed holes, one of which defines the outlet from tube 64 and the other one of which defines the inlet to tube 65. Progressive rotation of the handle portion 70 will vary the amount of liquid 76 that passes through the valve 38. The amount of liquid that passes through the valve can be a maximum amount, a minimum amount (which minimum may be zero) and an amount between a maximum amount and a minimum amount i.e. the valve is a variable valve. In this example the amount of liquid passing through the valve can be infinitely variable between a maximum amount and a minimum amount.

Once the liquid has passed through valve 38 it proceeds through tube 65 to the liquid inlet 32.

As can be seen from the figures the venturi is orientated generally vertically with the water outlet 22 being positioned above the water inlet 20. It will also be appreciated that the venturi is positioned below the shower head.

Operation of the mixing unit and the shower unit is as follows:-Water, at a suitable temperature is fed into inlet 20 in the direction of anow A. The water then passes through the venturi, through the water outlet 22, and through the shower head 20 and out of the shower head nozzle 78. As the water passes through the venturi, and in particular as the water passes liquid inlet 32 a low pressure is created which draws liquid 76 through end 66, tube 64, partially or fully open valve 38, tube 65 and liquid inlet 32 into the water stream.

Only a limited amount of mixing of the liquid 76 and water will occur before the liquid/water combination reaches the air inlet 40. Because the air inlet 40 is in the venturi, and in particular in the parallel sided portion of the venturi, a low pressure still exists and hence air is drawn through holes 50. It is this air that thoroughly mixes the liquid 76 with the water. As will be appreciated, the air inlet 40 is positioned downstream (when considering the direction of movement of the water) of the liquid inlet 32.

As described above, both the liquid inlet and the air inlet are in the parallel sided portion of the venturi. In further embodiments the air inlet and/or the fluid inlet may be positioned in the divergent section of the venturi. In further embodiments the venturi may have a convergent section and a divergent section without an intervening parallel sided portion. Under these circumstances the air inlet and/or fluid inlet may be positioned in the divergent section of the venturi.

As described above, air inlet 40 admits air into the water stream. In further embodiments a further tube, identical to or similar to tube 42 may be positioned downstream of tube 42. Such an additional tube may be orientated laterally relative to the main axis at bore 32. Typically the further tube may be orientated on a different diameter to the diameter on which tube 42 is orientated, i.e. when viewed axially the further tube may be angled relative to tube 42, for example it may be angled at 90 degrees relative to tube 42. The further tube may have a different anangement of holes or may have an identical arrangement of holes.

As will be appreciated from figures 2, 3 and 7 the part of the conduit about which the bottle snap fits is situated generally downstream of the venturi. Thus, when the venturi is orientated generally vertically the liquid within the bottle is at a height generally above the venturi and as such less venturi under pressure is required to draw liquid into the water stream.

As described above, the liquid in the fluid reservoir may be liquid soap. The liquid soap may include a fragrance. Alternatively the fluid reservoir may contain a liquid medicament, for example a medicament for treating skin complaints.

The mixing unit has been described above in relation to a shower unit having a fixed shower head. Alternatively the mixing unit can be used with a shower head mounted on a flexible hose. Alternatively, the mixing unit could be used in conjunction with taps. Such taps could be wash hand basin taps for washing hands and the like.

Alternatively the taps could be bath taps for filling a bath tub.

Claims

Claims 1. A mixing unit having a conduit with a water inlet, a water outlet, a venturi positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet, a fluid inlet, and an air inlet, the fluid inlet being distinct from the air inlet, the air inlet being positioned downstream of the fluid inlet.
2. A mixing unit as defined in claim 1 wherein the venturi has a convergent portion, a parallel sided portion and a divergent portion and the air inlet and/or fluid inlet are/is positioned in the parallel sided portion.
3. A mixing unit as defined in claim 1 wherein the venturi has a convergent portion and a divergent portion and the air inlet and/or fluid inlet are/is positioned in the divergent portion.
4. A mixing unit as defined in any proceeding claim further including a fluid reservoir coupled to the fluid inlet via a variable valve.
5. A mixing unit as defined in any preceding claim wherein the air inlet is a fixed air inlet.
6. A mixing unit as defined in any preceding claim wherein the conduit has a conduit wall defining a bore and the air inlet is at least positioned in the bore and remote from the conduit wall.
7. A mixing unit as defined in claim 6 in which the air inlet is at least provided at a plurality of locations within the bore and remote from the wall.
8. A mixing unit as defined in claim 7 wherein the plurality of locations are provided across a diameter of the bore.
9. A mixing unit as defined in claim 7 or 8 wherein the inlet is defined by a plurality of holes in a tube, the tube being orientated laterally relative to the bore.
10. A mixing unit as defined in claim 9 wherein the plurality of holes face the water outlet.
11. A mixing unit as defined in claim 9 or 10 the inlet further being defined by a further plurality of holes in a further tube, the further tube being orientated laterally relative to the bore, the further tube being positioned downstream of said tube.
12. A mixing unit as defined in claims 1 to 3 or S to 9 when dependent upon claim 1 to 3 further including a fluid reservoir being coupled to the fluid inlet, the fluid reservoir being at least partially held in place by a snap fit connection between the reservoir and the conduit.
13. A mixing unit as defined in claim 12 wherein the conduit has an outer surface and fluid reservoir has a recess, said recess providing said snap fit connection between the reservoir and the conduit.
14. A mixing unit as defined in claim 13 wherein said outer surface is a cylindrical outer surface.
15. A mixing unit as defined in claim 13 or 14 wherein the fluid reservoir has a liquid receiving portion, said liquid receiving portion extending around more than 180 degrees of the outer surface, preferably the liquid receiving portion extending around more than 250 degrees of the outer surface.
16. A mixing unit as defined in any one of claims 13 to 15 when said part of said conduit having said outer surface is generally downstream of said venturi.
17. A shower unit having a shower head and a mixing unit as defined in any preceding claim, the shower head being connected to the water outlet, the venturi being orientated substantially vertically with the water inlet being positioned below the venturi and the water outlet being positioned above the venturi.
18. A shower unit as defined in claim 17 wherein the venturi is positioned below the shower head.
19. A mixing unit having a conduit with a water inlet, a water outlet, a venturi positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet, a fluid inlet, and an air inlet, a fluid reservoir being coupled to the fluid inlet via a variable valve, the fluid inlet being distinct from the air inlet.
20. A mixing unit having a conduit with a water inlet, a water outlet, a venturi positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet, a fluid inlet, and an air inlet, the fluid inlet being distinct from the air inlet, the air inlet being a fixed air inlet.
21. A mixing unit having a conduit with a water inlet, a water outlet, a venturi positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet, a fluid inlet, and an air inlet, the conduit having a conduit wall defining a bore and the air inlet being at least positioned in the bore and remote from the conduit wall.
22. A mixing unit having a conduit with a water inlet, a water outlet, a venturi positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet, a fluid inlet, and an air inlet, a fluid reservoir being coupled to the fluid inlet, the fluid reservoir being at least partially held in place by a snap fit connection between the reservoir and the conduit.
23. A shower unit having a shower head and a mixing unit having a conduit with a water inlet, a water outlet, a venturi positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet, a fluid inlet, and an air inlet, the shower head being connected to the water outlet, the venturi being orientated substantially vertically with the water inlet positioned below the venturi and the water outlet being positioned above the venturi.