GB2507807A

GB2507807A - Shower hose adapter and method of treating shower water

Info

Publication number: GB2507807A
Application number: GB1220348.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dante Xavier Peagler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-11-12
Filing date: 2012-11-12
Publication date: 2014-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-12
Also published as: WO2014072738A1; GB201220348D0; GB201708768D0; GB2549013B; GB2549013A; GB2507807B

Abstract

A shower hose adapter (10 figure 1) comprises a two-part housing (12 figure 1) having a flow inlet (16 figure 1) and a flow outlet (18 figure 1) defining a flow-guide chamber (26 figure 5) in liquid communication with the flow inlet and the flow outlet. A water-treating caseless soluble flow guide (14 figure 2) is provided in the flow-guide chamber and the flow guide has a flow aperture (66 figure 2). First and second filter elements 38, 40 are included at the flow inlet and the flow outlet respectively, and first and second connectors (46, 48) are in liquid communication with the flow inlet 16 and the flow outlet 18. At least one of the first and second connectors (46, 48 figure 1) enables connection of the two-part housing to one end of a shower hose. An alignment element 70 may also be included for aligning the flow aperture of the caseless soluble flow guide with at least one of the flow inlet and the flow outlet. The alignment element defines at least in part at least one outer flow channel 78 at an exterior of the caseless soluble flow guide. A seating surface 82 is also provided in the flow-guide chamber and seats the caseless soluble flow guide. The seating surface includes a fall from the outer flow channel 78 to the flow outlet. A method of treating shower water using such a shower hose adapter is also provided.

Description

Shower Hose Adapter And Method Of Treating Shower Water The present invention relates to a shower hose adapter, and more particularly but not necessarily exclusively to an adapter which is interposed between a shower water heater and the shower hose, and also to a method of treating shower water using such a shower hose adapter.

Treating bath water is conmion, and is typically accomplished by placing granules or fragrant liquid in the bath water, once or whilst the bath is being run. Treating shower water in this way is far more difficult.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower hose adapter comprising a two part housing having a flow inlet and a flow outlet and defining a flow- guide chamber in liquid communication with the flow inlet and the flow outlet, a water-treating caseless soluble flow guide in the flow-guide chamber and having a flow aperture therethrough. first and second filter elements at the flow inlet and the flow outlet, respectively, for preventing or limiting a passage of larger particulate material from the caseless soluble flow guide, first and second connectors in liquid communication with the flow inlet and the flow outlet, respectively, at least one of the first and second connectors for connecting the two part housing to one end of a shower hose, and a seating surface of the flow-guide chamber for seating the caseless soluble flow guide having a fall from the said at least one flow channel to the flow outlet.

Preferable andlor optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 20, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower installation comprising a shower water heater, a shower hose in liquid communication with the shower water heater, a shower head in liquid communication with the shower hose, and a shower hose adapter in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the shower hose adapter being connected to the shower hose, so that water flow from the shower water heater passes through the flow aperture of the caseless soluble flow guide on its way to the shower head.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of treating shower water using a shower hose adapter in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of: al providing a water-treating caseless soluble flow guide upstream of a shower head, the caseless soluble flow guide having a flow aperture therethrough for directing water flow; b] providing a flow of water to the shower head which passes through the flow aperture of the caseless soluble flow guide, whereby material of the caseless soluble flow guide is entrained with the water flow before reaching the shower head.

Preferably, in step bi, the flow of water to the shower head also passes over an outer exterior surface of the caseless soluNe flow guide, whereby further material of the caseless soluble flow guide is entrained with the water flow before reaching the shower head.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a shower hose adapter, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view from above of the shower hose adapter. shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded view from the side of the shower hose adapter; Figure 4 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a shower hose adapter, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 5 is an exploded view of the shower hose adapter, shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of a shower hose adapter. in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and shown in a closed condition; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the shower hose adapter shown in Figure 6, and shown in a closed condition.

Referring firstly to Figures I to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a first embodiment of a shower hose adapter 10 which comprises a two-part housing 12 and a water-treating caseless soluble flow guide 14. The two-part housing 12 is preferably formed of moulded plastics, and in this case is beneficially of light-transmissible material, either being transparent or trans'ucent, thereby allowing monitoring of a status of the caseless soluble flow guide 14 without requinng opening of the two-part housing 12.

The two-part housing 12 has a flow inlet 16 at one end, typically being an upper end, and a flow outlet 18 at the other end, typically being a lower end. However, the flow inlet 16 and/or the flow outlet 18 may be in a side wall 20 of the two-part housing 12, instead of being at respective ends.

The two-part housing 12 is formed of a first housing part 22 and a second housing part 24 which is interengagable with the first housing part 22. Together, the first and second housing parts 22, 24 define a flow-guide chamber 26 which is in liquid communication with the flow inlet 16 and the flow outlet 18. Interengagement of the first and second housing parts 22, 24 is achieved via matable screw-threads 28, 30 integrally formed on an exterior surface 32 of the first housing part 22 and an interior surface 34 of the second housing part 24. However, the provision of the matable screw-threads 28, 30 could be reversed, as required.

The first and second housing parts 22, 24 are disengagable from each other, and therefore to provide a liquid tight seal, an 0-ring sealing element 36 is provided adjacent to the exterior screw-thread 28 of the first housing part 22. The 0-ring sealing element 36 seals against the interior surface 34 of the second housing part 24, spaced from the interior screw-thread 30.

First and second filter elements 38, 40 are provided at the flow inlet 16 and the flow outlet 18, respectively. The first and second filter elements. 40 are rigid plate-like webs which extend across respective flow paths 42, 44 defined by the flow inlet 16 and the flow outlet 18, respectively. The first and second filter elements 38, 40 are beneficial in retaining arger particulate matter which separates from the casdess soluble flow guide 14 within the flow-guide chamber 26. The first filter element 38 therefore pievents or limits the backflow of larger particulate matter to a shower water heater or other hot and cold water supply, and the second filter element 40) prevents or linñts the entraining of larger particulate matter to a shower head. In both cases, blockagcs arc possible and can thus bc avoided or limited by thc usc of thc first and second filter elements 38, 40.

To enable the two-part housing 12 to be connected to a shower water feed, such as a shower water heater, at one end and to a shower hose at the other end, first and second connectors 46, 48 are provided. The first connector 46 is provided at the flow inlet 16, and in this case is integrally formed as one-piece with the first housing part 22, and the second connector 48 is provided at the flow outlet 18, and in this case is integrally formed as one-piece with the second housing part 24.

The first connector 46 is beneficially provided as a hollow spigot 50 with a screw-IS thread 52 formed on its interior surface 54. A seating seal 56 may be included at its base to liquid-tightly receive a distal end edge of a male connector, when located therein.

The second connector 48 is also beneficially provided as a hollow spigot 58 with a further screw-thread 60 formed on its exterior surface 62. Preferably, the further screw-thread 60 is adapted to mate with a screw-thread of a ferrule of a shower hose. In this way, the shower hose adapter 10 adapts a connection of a shower hose with a shower water feed, whereby a modified interface is utilised.

Although the present shower hose adapter 10 is intended to be interposed between a shower hose and a shower water feed, such as a shower water heater, the shower hose adapter 10 may interconnect two shower hoses, or may be interposed between a shower hose and a shower head. As such, the first and second connectors 46, 48 may be modified accordingly.

The caseless soluble flow guide 14 is a dissolvable solid having a body 64 and a flow aperture 66 therethrough. The body 64 in this case is preferably cylindrical having an unencased outer exterior surface 68, and the flow aperture 66 is preferably straight having a cylindrical bore which is coaxial with the cylindrical axis of the body 64.

Although cyfindrical, other shapes can be considered. However, the flow aperture 66 is essential.

The caseless soluble flow guide 14 is at least one of a fragrant water-treating material and a surfactant, whereby, as water flows therethrough, particulate material of the caseless soluble flow guide 14 is dissolved and entrained with the water flow to the shower head. A plurality of different caseless soluble flow guides may be provided, for example, exhibiting different fragrances and/or soaps. thereby allowing a user to select a preferred flow guide 14.

Within the two-part housing 12, and preferably within the downstream second housing part 24, an alignment element 70 is included for guiding a position of the caseless soluble flow guide 14. The alignment element 70 comprises a plurality of elongate linear or substantially Unear guides 72, in this case being fins or strips. Each linear guide 72 extends from a bottom of the interior screw-thread 30 of the second housing part 24 to the interior base 74 of the flow-guide chamber 26. Each linear guide may IS optionally extend along the interior base 74 to thereby hold the caseless soluble flow guide in a raised condition and away from the surface of the interior base 74.

A positioning of the linear guides 72 at or adjacent to the bottom of the interior screw-thread 30 is beneficial, as it provides a stop 76 for receiving the upstream first housing part 22 as it is connected. This prevents or limits over tightening, thereby allowing an older or infirm user to open the flow-guide chamber 26 for inserting a caseless soluble flow guide 14.

Each linear guide 72 projects radially or substantially radially inwardly, and the linear guides are preferably equi-angularly spaced apart. In this case, four linear guides 72 are provided, but two or three, or more four linear guides may be provided, as necessity dictates. Preferably, however, no less than three linear guides are utilised in order to ensure centralisation of the flow guide 14 during use.

Although linear guides 72 are suggested, other alignment means could be utilised, such as a circumferentially extending guide. In this case, the arcuate guide would preferably be broken to accoimodate a flow path.

The alignment element 70 beneficially coaxiafly aligns the flow aperture 66 of the caseless so'uble flow guide 14 with the flow inlet 16. A majority of dissolving of the caseless soluble flow guide 14 occurs from the flow aperture 66 radially outwardly, and therefore the alignment element 70 maintains or substantially maintains the centralisation of the increasing flow aperture 66 with the flow inlet 16.

Furthermore, the alignment element 70 together with the interior surface 34 of the two-part housing 12 and the outer exterior surface 68 of the caseless soluble flow guide 14 define at least one, and in this case a plurality of, flow channels 78. The flow aperture 66 through the caseless soluble flow guide 14 is dimensioned to not significantly obstruct or occlude shower water entering the flow-guide chamber 26. However, inevitably, some water will be obstructed, and in this case the secondary flow path 80 defined by the alignment element 70 permits additional flow to the flow outlet 18, whilst also enabling entraining of material of the caseless soluble flow guide 14 from the outer exterior surface 68.

IS The interior base 74 of the flow-guide chamber 26 provides a seating surface 82 for seating the caseless soluble flow guide 14. The interior base 74 therefore includes a fall from the or each flow channel 78 to the flow outlet 18. This is advantageous in preventing or limiting a dissolving caseless soluHe flow guide 14 from fully contacting the interior base 74 and therefore acting substantially as a seal against flow.

Furthermore, as the secondary flow path 80 is directed over an end 84 of the caseless soluble flow guide 14 to intersect the primary flow path 86 defined by the flow aperture 66, further dissolving of the caseless soluble flow guide 14 can take place, allowing additional entraining of material with the shower water.

Refening now to Figures 4 and 5. a second embodiment of a shower hose adapter 10 will be descnbed. References which are similar or identical to those of the first embodiment refer to similar parts, and therefore further detailed description will be omitted.

The shower hose adapter of this embodiment comprises the two-part housing 12 having the flow inlet 16 and the flow outlet 18. The flow-guide chamber 26 is defined therewithin, and is adapted to receive a water-treating caseless soluble flow guide 14 having a flow aperture 66. First and second filter elements 138, 140 are also provided at the flow inlet 16 and the flow outlet 18, respectivdy, a'ong with the first and second connectors 46, 48. The alignment element 70 is also provided for coaxially aligning the caseless soluble flow guide 14 with at least the flow inlet 16.

In this case, the first and second filter elements 138, 140 may be plate-like perforated elements which are removably mountable at the flow inlet 16 and the flow outlet 18 within the flow-guide chamber 26. This enables adaptation of the filter elements dependent on the solubility of the selected caseless soluble flow guide 14.

Furthermore, instead of utilising a screw-thread to releasably interengage the first and second housing parts 22, 24, a twist-and-lock cam mechanism 188 is provided. In this case, an exterior of the first housing part 22 includes a plurality of equi-angularly spaced-apart arcuate runners 190 having stops 192 at their distal ends and a ramped engaging surface 194, and an interior of the second housing part 24 includes a plurality of complementarily shaped circumferentially-extending arcuate channels 196 for receiving respective arcuate runners 190. The arcuate runners 190. once received in their respective arcuate channels 196, wedgingly engage therein as the first and second housing parts 22, 24 are coaxially rotated relative to each other.

A pip and dimple locator may be incorporated as part of the runners 190 and channels 196 to provide positive feedback to the user once full or complete engagement is reached.

As with the first embodiment, a seating element 36 is provided between the first and second housing parts 22, 24 for forming a liquid-tight seal, and seating seal 56 is provided at the flow inlet 16 for providing a liquid-tight seal with the shower water flow outlet 18.

In use, the shower hose adapter 10 forms part of a shower installation. TypiSly, the shower installation is in a domestic and/or commercial premises, such as a home, care home or sports centre, for example. The shower installation comprises a shower area having a shower tray or tanking utilising tiles andlor a flexible waterproof plastics flooring. A shower water supply is also included, and this may be from a boiler, hot water tank, or via an instantaneous water heater. A. typically screw-threaded, shower water outlet is provided at the installation site for connection to an elongate flexible shower hose. With a caseless soluble flow guide 14 received within the flow-guide chamber 26 of the two-part housing 12, the first connector 46 at the flow inlet 16 of the shower hose adapter 10 is screw-threadingly connected to the shower water outlet. A fcrrule of thc showcr hose is then scrcw-thrcadingly engaged with the second connector 48 at the flow outlet 18 of the shower hose adapter 10.

As, typically warm or hot, shower water flows from the shower water outlet, it passes into the flow-guide chamber 26 of the shower hose adapter 10 and through the flow aperture 66 to the flow outlet 18. Due to the flow rate of the shower water and the dimension of the flow aperture 66. the shower water also flows around the exterior of the caseless soluble flow guide 14, along the secondary flow path 80, and over the lower end of the caseless soluble flow guide 14 to the flow outlet 18 and thus to the shower hose.

IS Referring now to Figures 6 and 7. a third embodiment of a shower hose adapter 10 will now be described. As before, references which are similar or identical to those of the first embodiment and second embodiment refer to similar parts, and therefore further

detailed description will be omitted.

The shower hose adapter 10 of this embodiment comprises a two-part housing 212 having the flow ifflet 216 in the first housing part 222 and the flow outlet 218 in the second housing part 224.

The flow-guide chamber 26 is defined therewithin, and is adapted to receive a water-treating caseless soluble flow guide 14 having a flow aperture 66. First and second filter elements, which are not shown, are also provided at the flow inlet 216 and the flow outlet 218, respectively, along with the first and second connectors 46.48.

The first connector 46, although only shown in part, is preferably female enabling connection to a male outlet of a shower water heater or an end of a shower hose, as required. The second connector 48 is preferably as described above and is a male threaded connector which is screw-threadingly engagable with a ferrule of a shower hose.

The alignment element 70 of the first embodiment, although not shown, may optionally be provided for coaxially aligning the caseless soluble flow guide 14 with at least the fiowinlet2iô.

As with the preceding embodiments, the interior base 74 of the flow-guide chamber 26 provides a seating surface 82 for seating the caseless soluble flow guide 14. The interior base 74 therefore includes the fall from the or each flow channel 78 to the flow outlet 218 to aid in preventing or limiting a dissolving caseless soluble flow guide 14 from fully contacting the interior base 74 and thus potentially forming a seal against flow.

In this embodiment, the first and second housing parts 222, 224 are hingably interconnected, with the first housing part 222 forming a hood which hinges to close an opening to the second housing part 224. To this end, the first housing part 222 preferably includes a cover portion 300, a shroud 302 which extends from a perimeter edge of the cover portion 300 and which extends circumferentially partway therearound, and opposing arm elements 304 which extend from a lower edge of the shroud 302.

The abuttable edges of the first and second housing parts 222. 224 are preferably canted relative to a longitudinal extent of the shower hose adapter, and a sealing element 308 is preferably incorporated in at least one of the said edges of the first and second housing parts 222, 224. Thereby, with the hingable first housing part 222 pivoted to a closed condition, a watertight seal is formed between the first and second housing parts 222, 224. With the first and second housing parts 222, 224 pivoted relative to each other to form an open condition, the interior of the flow-guide chamber 26 can be accessed to insert a new caseless soluble flow guide. The canting of the abuttable edges facilitates access as can be understood from Figure 7 when compared to an opening which is at right angles to the longitudinal extent. The canting also prevents or limits spillage of liquid retained in the housing, by retaining the second housing pail in a more upnght condition.

The relative hinging of the first and second housing parts 222, 224 is particularly advantageous in that, with the first housing part 222 screw-threadably connected to an outlet of a shower water heater, for example, and the second housing part 224 screw-threadably connected to a ferrule of a shower hose, the flow-guide chamber 26 of the two-part housing 212 can still be accessed without disengagement of the shower hose adaptcr from cithcr thc showcr water hcatcr or the shower hosc.

To retain the two-part housing 212 in its closed condition, a releasable latch is preferably incorporated, for example, being a snap-fit or push-fit tongue and recess or hook element and which has parts which are preferably integrally formed as one-piece with the two-part housing 212.

Although the shower hose adapter can be provided at a different location along the shower hose, it is beneficial that it is at or adjacent to the shower water outlet so that water flowing over the caseless soluble flow guide has not dropped th temperature too much, thereby promoting dissolving and suitable entraining of material with the shower IS water.

Although the alignment means is preferably formed as one-piece with the second housing part, it may be a separate element, or it may be provided on the first housing part. for example, centrally and extending into the flow aperture.

The alignment means descnbed above may be prefelTed, but it is optional. Without the alignment means, the second flow path is therefore a single additional flow path which is thus defined by the outer surface of the caseless soluble flow guide and the interior surface of the side wall of the second housing part. By having the primary and secondary flow paths. it also enables the option of the easeless soluble flow guide to be unitarily fonned of radially inner and outer materials, such as a soap at the flow aperture, and a fragrance at the outer exterior surface. Both can thus be entrained separately by the two flow paths.

It is thus possible to provide a shower hose adapter which enables adaptation of a shower hose in order to entrain soap and/or fragrance with shower water being fed to a shower head. The shower hose adapter can be easily opened to replace or renew the water-treating casdess soluble flow guide. By being caseless and utilising an alignment element, two distinct flow paths are provided across the soluble flow guide, providing improved flow rate and entrainment of soluble material.

Claims

Claims 1. A shower hose adapter comprising a two part housing having a flow inlet and a flow outlet and defining a flow-guide chamber in Uquid communication with the flow inlet and the flow outlet, a water-treating caseless soluble flow guide in the flow-guide chamber and having a flow aperture therethrough, first and second filter elements at the flow inlet and the flow outlet, respectively, for preventing or limiting a passage of larger particulate material from the caseless soluble flow guide, first and second connectors in liquid communication with the flow inlet and the flow outlet, respectively, at least one of the first and second connectors for connecting the two part housing to one end of a shower hose, and a seating surface of the flow-guide chamber for seating the caseless soluHe flow guide having a fall from the said at least one flow channel to the flow outlet.
2. A shower hose adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the caseless soluble flow guide includes a cylindrical body, and the flow aperture extends along the IS cylindrical axis of the body.
3. A shower hose adapter as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the casdess soluble flow guide is selectable from a plurality of different caseless soluble flow guides depending on a required water treatment.
4. A shower hose adapter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of different caseless soluble flow guides include at least two different fragrances.
5. A shower hose adapter as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4. wherein the plurality of different caseless soluble flow guides include at least one soap and one fragrance.
6. A shower hose adapter as claimed in any one of c'aims 3 to 5, wherein the plurality of different caseless soluble flow guides include at least two different soaps.
7. A shower hose adapter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an alignment element for aligning the flow aperture of the casdess soluble flow guide with at least one of the flow inlet and the flow ouflet. the alignment element defining at least part of one or more flow channels at an exterior of the caseless sohThle flow guide,
8. A shower hose adapter as claimed in claim 7, wherein the alignment element comprises a plurality of axial tins extending alnng an intenor side surface of the flow-guide chamber.
9. A shower hose adapter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the axial fins are equi-angularly spaced apart around the flow-guide chamber.
10. A shower hose adapter as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the axial fins are on a downstream part of the housing having the flow outlet.
11. A shower hose adapter as claimed in claim 10. wherein ends of the axial fins forms stops on which an upstream part of the housing is seatable.
12. A shower hose adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the two part housing includes an upstream part and a downstream part which is liquid-tightly releasably interengagable with the upstream part.
13. A shower hose adapter as claimed in any one of claims ito 12, wherein the said first connector is engagable with a water outlet of a water heater, and the said second connector is engagable with a ferrule of a shower hose.
14. A shower hose adapter as claimed in any one of claims Ito 13, wherein the said first connector is engagable with a ferrule of a shower hose, and the said second connector is engagable with a shower head.
15. A shower hose adapter as claimed in any one of claims I to 14, wherein at least a wall of the two part housing is formed of light-transmissible material for monitoring the caseless soluble flow guide.
16. A shower hose adapter as claimed in any one of claims I to 15, wherein the first filter element at the flow inlet is a backfiow control element for preventing or limiting upstream movement of larger particulate material from the casdess soluble flow guide during a backflow condition.
17. A shower hose adapter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two part housing includes a first housing part and second housing part which are hingably interconnected.
18. A shower hose adapter as claimed in claim 17, wherein abuttable edges of the first and second housing parts are canted rdative to a longitudinal extent of the shower hose adapter.
19. A shower hose adapter as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the first housing part defines a cover which is hingably connected to sides of the second housing part.
20. A shower hose adapter as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19, further comprising a releasable latch for releasably securing the first and second housing parts to adopt a closed condition, the flow-guide chamber being accessible with the in use shower hose adapter in situ by release of the latch.
21. A shower hose adapter substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3, Figures 4 and 5, or Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
22. A shower instailation comprising a shower water heater, a shower hose in liquid communication with the shower water heater, a shower head in liquid communication with the shower hose, and a shower hose adapter as claimed in any one of claims I to 20, the shower hose adapter being connected to the shower hose, so that water flow from the shower water heater passes through the flow aperture of the caseless soluble flow guide on its way to the shower head.
23. A method of treating shower water using a shower hose adapter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing a water-treating caseless soluble flow guide upstream of a shower head, the caseless soluble flow guide having a flow aperture therethrough for directing water flow; b] providing a flow of water to the shower head which passes through the flow aperture of the casdess soluble flow guide, whereby material of the caseless soluble flow guide is entrained with the water flow before reaching the shower head.
24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein, in step hi, the flow of water to the shower head also passes over an outer exterior surface of the caseless soluble flow guide. whereby further material of the caseless soluble flow guide is entrained with the water flow before reachhig the shower head.
25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the caseless soluble flow guide includes a first material at the flow aperture and a second material which is diTerent to the first material at the outer exterior surface.