GB2570684A

GB2570684A - Shower Hose

Info

Publication number: GB2570684A
Application number: GB1801731.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cook Bernard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-02-02
Filing date: 2018-02-02
Publication date: 2019-08-07
Also published as: GB201801731D0

Abstract

A shower hose 18 is provided which comprises an outer hose pipe 32 having a wastewater outlet and an inner tubing 38 receivable within the outer hose pipe. The inner tubing is at least in part radially expansible and including at least one drainage aperture 42. When a water pressure is applied to the inner tubing 38, the inner tubing radially expands such that the or each drainage aperture is blocked by the outer hose pipe so as to define an uninterrupted fluid flow path through the inner tubing, and when a water pressure is removed from the inner tubing, the inner tubing radially contracts such that the drainage aperture is open to an interior of the outer hose pipe so as to be drainable via the waste-water outlet. Also disclosed is a method of preventing stagnant water accumulation using said shower hose.

Description

The present invention relates to a shower hose which is particularly but not necessarily exclusively for alleviating the problem of stagnant water accumulation in shower apparatuses. The invention further relates to a shower apparatus having such a shower hose, and also to a method of preventing stagnant water accumulation in a shower apparatus.

Shower hoses are used to connect a shower head to a water source, and are typically provided as flexible hoses so that a user can manoeuvre the shower head into a desirable position for washing themselves.

When the water source is deactivated, the reduction in water pressure will prevent water from being disgorged from the shower head. However, if the shower head is elevated with respect to the shower hose in a stowed condition, which is common, then there will be a residual level of water present in the shower hose.

This can lead to several problems. Firstly, the water in the shower hose will rapidly cool, and therefore a subsequent user will be subjected to old and cold water upon first use of the shower. Secondly, the water in the shower hose may stagnate over time, and therefore bacteria, toxins, fungus, and other unpleasant detritus may accumulate within the shower hose. This can pose a risk to health as well as comfort.

For shower apparatuses which are used infrequently, for example, in student accommodation during out-of-term periods, then there is a significant risk of the growth of dangerous microorganisms, such as legionella. One common source of maintenance for such shower apparatuses is therefore in the cleansing or flushing of the watercontacting components of the entire system in periods of infrequent use, in order to inhibit microbial growth.

The present invention seeks to provide a way of circumventing these problems by eliminating or substantially reducing the collection of stagnant water within the shower hose.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower hose comprising: an outer hose pipe having a waste-water outlet; and an inner tubing receivable within the outer hose pipe; the inner tubing being at least in part radially expansible and including at least one drainage aperture; wherein, when a water pressure is applied to the inner tubing, the inner tubing radially expands such that the or each drainage aperture is blocked by the outer hose pipe so as to define an uninterrupted fluid flow path through the inner tubing; and when a water pressure is removed from the inner tubing, the inner tubing radially contracts such that the drainage aperture is open to an interior of the outer hose pipe so as to be drainable via the waste-water outlet.

The provision of a shower hose which has an expansible inner tubing with drainage apertures inside an outer hose pipe has several advantages. Firstly, stagnant water cannot collect inside the inner tubing, which defines the fluid flow path through the shower hose. This prevents the build-up of cold or stagnant water over several showering cycles, which is unpleasant for later users of the shower. Furthermore, the ability to drain the inner tubing significantly reduces the burden on the shower operator associated with cleansing or sterilising the shower hose in order to purge any stagnant water or accumulated microbes inside the shower hose.

Preferably, the waste-water outlet may include at least one relief aperture, the or each relief aperture being offset from the or each drainage aperture.

The provision of one or more relief apertures in the outer hose pipe allows for a stagnant water release path to be created when the water pressure at one end of the shower hose is removed, since the inner tubing will relax away from the outer hose pipe, and both the drainage and relief apertures will be unblocked. The offset of the different apertures ensures that a blocked condition of at least the drainage apertures can be maintained when the water pressure is reapplied.

Furthermore, the outer hose pipe may include a rigid portion which defines an in-use vertically lowermost position of the shower hose, the or each relief aperture being positioned on the rigid portion. Said rigid portion may be or substantially be U-shaped.

Ideally, the relief apertures will be provided at the in use gravitational minimum of the shower hose, which will typically be defined by the stowed condition of a shower head which is attached to the shower hose. This limits the possibility of stagnant water being collected in the outer hose pipe, which could also otherwise lead to microbial accumulation.

Optionally, the outer hose pipe may be formed from a radially non-expansible material.

Whilst it is preferred that the outer hose pipe is formed from a flexible material to allow ready use of the shower hose, the blocking of the drainage apertures may be most readily achieved by providing a hard and/or non-deformable inner surface of the outer hose pipe against which the inner tube may expand.

Preferably, the inner tubing may be formed from an expansible material, such as a synthetic rubber composition. In an alternative embodiment, the inner tubing may comprise a radially expansible portion and a less radially expansible portion, the or each drainage aperture being positioned on the radially expansible portion.

There are several convenient ways in which the inner tubing of the shower hose may be constructed. The provision of the whole tubing being formed from a single expansible material may be constructionally simpler, whereas a partially expansible inner tubing may be able to more accurately ensure that stagnant water is directed towards one or more relief apertures of the outer hose pipe, further limiting the likelihood of microbial build-up.

The hose may include a shower head connector having a head-connector body and a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being engagable with an end of the inner tubing, and the headconnector body being water-tightly engagable with an end of the outer hose pipe. Additionally, or alternatively, there may be provided a shower valve connector having a valve-connector body and a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being engagable with an end of the inner tubing, and the valve-connector body being water-tightly engagable with an end of the outer hose pipe.

Any shower hose is likely to be connected to a shower head and/or shower valve, and it is preferred in either scenario that there be a fluid-tight connection at either end with the inner tubing. This ensures that the water pressure provided from the water source is sufficient to effect the expansion of the inner tubing once the water flow is activated.

Preferably, there may be provided locating means for maintaining a relative alignment between the inner tubing and the outer hose pipe.

Where there is a relative offset between drainage and relief apertures in the shower hose, the provision of a locating means, such as a connective membrane between the inner tubing and the outer hose pipe, can ensure that there is no relative displacement which could lead to a leak path being formed even in the pressurised condition of the shower hose.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower apparatus comprising a shower head; a water source which can be activated and deactivated; and a shower hose preferably in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the inner tubing defining a fluid flow path between the water source and the shower head.

The provision of a shower apparatus having a drainable shower hose can advantageously limit the expelling of stagnant water onto shower users, which can be particularly unpleasant where shower experiences are temporally separated. This can be of particular use in, for example, communal shower blocks which are infrequently or irregularly used.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of preventing stagnant water accumulation in a shower apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing a shower apparatus preferably in accordance with the second aspect of the invention; b] deactivating the water source such that the inner tubing of the shower hose radially contracts to allow water therein to drain into the outer hose pipe; and c] draining water from the outer hose pipe via the waste-water outlet.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective representation of a first embodiment of a shower apparatus having a shower hose in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2a shows a cross-sectional representation through the shower head and shower hose of Figure 1, with the shower hose in an unpressurised condition;

Figure 2b shows a cross-sectional representation through the shower head and shower hose of Figure 1, with the shower hose in a pressurised condition;

Figure 3 shows a perspective representation of a second embodiment of a shower apparatus having a shower hose in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 4a shows an enlarged cross-sectional representation through the shower hose of Figure 3 as indicated by the dashed area, with the shower hose in an unpressurised condition; and

Figure 4b shows an enlarged cross-sectional representation through the shower hose of Figure 3 as indicated by the dashed area, with the shower hose in a pressurised condition.

Referring to Figure 1, there is indicated a shower apparatus, referenced globally at 10, which comprises a shower control unit 12 which here provides a pressurised or pressurisable water source, a shower head 14 for dispensing the water onto a user 16, and a shower hose 18 which interconnects the shower control unit 12 and shower head 14. The shower hose 18 is adapted to release any trapped water when the shower apparatus 10 is deactivated which cannot otherwise be ejected through the shower head 14 due to the effects of gravity or similar.

The shower control unit 12 preferably comprises a water-tight casing 20 having control electronics therein which are activatable, for example, via a switch 22 on the shower control unit 12. The shower control unit 12 is able to at least control an activation status of the shower apparatus 10, and preferably also may be arranged to control other characteristics, such as water flow rate and water temperature. It will be appreciated that the present invention could, however, be used with any appropriate water source from which a sufficient water pressure or flow rate can be generated, such as an elevated water tank or a pumped water system.

The shower head 14 is preferably a standard shower head, including a neck portion 24 which is suitable for gripping by a user, a head chamber 26, and an outlet 28, which preferably includes a plurality of individual apertures 30 for dispensing a plurality of waterjets onto the user 16.

The shower hose 18 is provided having an outer hose pipe 32, which is preferably formed as an elongate flexible pipe body having a waste-water outlet therefrom, which may be optionally formed as at least one relief aperture 34. The waste-water outlet is therefore distinguished from the ends of the pipe body which are directly connectable to the shower control unit 12 and shower head 14, although the waste-water outlet could be positioned at or adjacent to an end of the outer hose pipe 32. The outer hose pipe 32 could be formed from any suitable material, which does not in itself need to be flexible. Metal hose pipes for showers are well-known, for example, with a plurality of small metal rings being provided which are moveable relative to one another. Hose pipes formed from plastics material are more common, however.

The shower hose 18 is connectable to one or more outlets 36 of the shower control unit 12 at a first end, and connectable to the shower head 14, preferably at the neck portion 24 thereof, at its second end. The shower hose 18 therefore defines a water flow path between the shower control unit 12 and the shower head 14.

As can be seen in Figure 2a, the shower hose 18 also comprises an inner tubing 38 which is receivable within the outer hose pipe 32 and which defines the water flow path of the shower hose from the shower control unit 12 to the shower head 14. The inner tubing 38 is formed having a tubing body 40 which is at least in part radially expansible, and the tubing body includes at least one and preferably a plurality of drainage apertures 42 therein. Preferably, the or each drainage aperture 42 has a maximum dimension, such as width or diameter, of no greater than 10mm, more preferably, no greater than 5mm, and most preferably of no greater than 2mm. Preferably, the inner tubing 38 may be formed from a synthetic rubber material which has suitable expansion properties, such as an elastomer, for example fluorosilicone, polysiloxane, polyurethane, or polyisoprene. Many such compounds are available.

In an unpressurised condition, as is illustrated in Figure 2a, the inner tubing 38 adopts a relaxed configuration such that there is a space or void between the inner tubing 38 and an inner wall of the outer hose pipe 32. In this condition, there is an effective fluid flow path between an inside of the inner tubing 38 and an inside of the outer hose pipe 32. Water can flow out of the inner tubing 38 into the outer hose pipe 32 via the or each drainage aperture 42. In turn, water in the outer hose pipe 32 can drain out of the or each relief aperture 34. Using such a shower hose 14, stagnant water is not able to collect in the inner tubing 38, minimizing or significantly reducing the risk of harmful elements such as bacteria or toxins from accumulating therein.

When the water flow from the shower control unit 12 is activated, the pressure of the water in the inner tubing 38 increases, thereby forcing radial expansion of the inner tubing 38. This can be seen in Figure 2b.

The radial expansion of the inner tubing 38 urges an outer surface of the inner tubing 38 into contact with an inner surface of the outer hose pipe 32. The inner surface of the outer hose pipe 32 thereby forms a seal over or about each of the drainage apertures 42, thereby creating an uninterrupted fluid flow path through the inner tubing 38 from the shower control unit 12 to the shower head 14. In this condition, since there are no leak pathways out of the shower hose 18, the user 16 is able to shower as normal, without any loss in water pressure.

Where one or more relief apertures 34 are provided in the body of the outer hose pipe 32, it will be appreciated that the drainage apertures 42 must be misaligned or offset from the relief apertures 34 in the pressurised condition in order for there to be active sealing of the drainage apertures 42. This may be achieved by alternating positions of the relief and drainage apertures 34, 42, as is indicated in Figure 2b, or alternatively, a different positioning arrangement could be considered. By way of example, the relief apertures 34 could be provided on an in-use lateral or sideward surface of the outer hose pipe 32, whilst the drainage apertures 42 are provided on a vertically lowermost surface of the inner tubing 38 in use. Other arrangements will be apparent to the skilled person. It is, however, preferred that the or each aperture be at a gravitational minimum of the shower hose 18 in a stowed condition.

To effect a specific gravitational minimum of the shower hose 18, it may be possible to provide a rigid or rigidifted portion of the outer hose pipe 32, which is preferably ‘U’shaped, which urges the shower hose 18 into a desired, vertically lowermost, hanging position when stowed. This can be used to ensure that complete drainage of the outer hose pipe 32 can be achieved when the shower is not in use.

The outer hose pipe 32 need not necessarily be provided with a relief aperture; provided that water can escape from the inner tubing 38 into the outer hose pipe 32, then other drainage options could be explored. For example, the outer hose pipe 32 could be provided with a specific drainage tap or valve, via which manual drainage can be achieved.

Where misalignment of relief and drainage apertures 34, 42 is provided in the shower hose 18, it may be desirable to provide a locating means which is capable of maintaining a relative alignment between the inner tubing 38 and outer hose pipe 32 during operation. This could, for example, be provided as a physical clip at one or other end of the shower hose, or the inner tubing 38 could be formed as part of the outer hose pipe 32 during manufacture, for example, having a coupling membrane between the two components.

It is noted that the shower hose 18 may be provided with a shower head connector having a head-connector body and a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being engagable with an end of the inner tubing 38, and the head-connector body being water-tightly engagable with an end of the outer hose pipe 32. This ensures that the water flow through the inner tubing 38 is directed into the shower head 14, rather than any residual water which may be in the outer hose pipe 32. This may be a dedicated connector, or could be a component of the shower head 14 itself.

Similarly, the shower hose 18 may be provided so as to be associated with a shower valve connector having a valve-connector body and a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being engagable with an end of the inner tubing 38, and the valve-connector body being water-tightly engagable with an end of the outer hose pipe 32. Such a connector may improve interfacing with the shower control unit 12.

A second embodiment of a shower apparatus is indicated in Figure 3, showing a shower room 100 having a plurality of shower apparatuses, referenced at 110. Identical or similar reference numerals to those used in the first embodiment described above will be used to refer to identical or similar components, and further detailed description will be omitted for brevity.

The shower room 100 is a communal shower room, which may be used infrequently, for example, in a sports pavilion or in student dormitories. As such, the present invention may be particularly useful, since there may be long periods of infrequent use which could result in significant water stagnation.

Each shower apparatus 110 includes a shower control 112 which allows the water to be controlled, and is here illustrated as wall-mounted faucets 144. From the shower control 112 is provided a fixed shower head 146, having a traditional pipe connection 148, in addition to a secondary shower head 114 which can be handled by the user 116, and may be separately activatable to the fixed shower head 146. The secondary shower head 114 is connected to the shower control 112 by a shower hose 118.

The bottom of the shower hose 118 can be seen in greater detail in Figures 4a and 4b. An outer hose pipe 132 of the shower hose 118 is provided with a plurality of relief apertures 134, which are preferably arranged in a spaced apart relationship at an in use lowermost portion of the outer hose pipe 132.

The configuration of the inner tubing 138 can be seen in the unpressurised condition in Figure 4a. Here, an inner tubing 138 is provided having a relatively small diameter with respect to the outer hose pipe 132. The inner tubing 138 then includes a non-expansible or less-expansible portion 150 which is devoid of drainage apertures 142, and an expansible portion 152 which includes at least one drainage aperture 142. Here, the drainage apertures 142 as shown in the expansible portion 152 so as to be positioned in an alternating configuration with the relief apertures 138 in the outer hose pipe 132.

The expansible portion 152 is capable of radial expansion under the application of water pressure from the water source, as can be seen in Figure 4b. The drainage apertures 142 are interstitial with respect to the relief apertures 138, and therefore, are able to be sealed against the inside of the outer hose pipe 132 upon the expansion of the expansible portion 152.

The provision of regions of the inner tubing 138 having different expansion characteristics can allow firstly for effective control of where the leak paths from the inner tubing 138 are positioned on the removal of the water pressure, and secondly can also limit the water pressure required in order to seal the drainage apertures 142. This may be particularly useful where the water pressure in a shower system is low.

The shower apparatuses described above are able to limit or prevent stagnant water accumulation, since deactivating the water source such that the inner tubing of the shower hose radially contracts allows water therein to drain into the outer hose pipe, and the water in the outer hose pipe can then be drained, for example, via relief apertures.

It will be appreciated that, whilst the above-described shower hoses are described as being hoses having a single inlet and outlet, it is equally possible to provide shower hoses having multiple inlets or outlets. By way of example, where separate hot and cold water outlets are provided for a water source, it may be preferable to have two inlets on the shower hose.

It is therefore possible to provide a shower hose which has an outer hose pipe and an expansible inner tubing therein. The inner tubing includes one or more drainage apertures, thereby allowing water to drain from the inner tubing when the water flow is deactivated, rather than collecting and stagnating.

The words ‘comprises/comprising’ and the words ‘having/including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various 5 other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

1. A shower hose comprising:

an outer hose pipe having a waste-water outlet; and an inner tubing receivable within the outer hose pipe;

the inner tubing being at least in part radially expansible and including at least one drainage aperture;

wherein, when a water pressure is applied to the inner tubing, the inner tubing radially expands such that the or each drainage aperture is blocked by the outer hose pipe so as to define an uninterrupted fluid flow path through the inner tubing; and when a water pressure is removed from the inner tubing, the inner tubing radially contracts such that the drainage aperture is open to an interior of the outer hose pipe so as to be drainable via the waste-water outlet.

2. A shower hose as claimed in claim 1, wherein the waste-water outlet includes at least one relief aperture, the or each relief aperture being offset from the or each drainage aperture.

3. A shower hose as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outer hose pipe includes a rigid portion which defines an in-use vertically lowermost position of the shower hose, the or each relief aperture being positioned on the rigid portion.

4. A shower hose as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rigid portion is or is substantially U-shaped.

5. A shower hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer hose pipe is formed from a radially non-expansible material.

6. A shower hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner tubing is formed from an expansible material.

7. A shower hose as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inner tubing is formed from a synthetic rubber composition.

8. A shower hose as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner tubing comprises a radially expansible portion and a radially less expansible portion, the or each drainage aperture being positioned on the radially expansible portion.

9. A shower hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a shower head connector having a head-connector body and a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being engagable with an end of the inner tubing, and the head-connector body being water-tightly engagable with an end of the outer hose pipe.

10. A shower hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a shower valve connector having a valve-connector body and a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being engagable with an end of the inner tubing, and the valve-connector body being water-tightly engagable with an end of the outer hose pipe.

11. A shower hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising locating means for maintaining a relative alignment between the inner tubing and the outer hose pipe.

12. A shower apparatus comprising a shower head; a water source which can be activated and deactivated; and a shower hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the inner tubing defining a fluid flow path between the water source and the shower head.

13. A method of preventing stagnant water accumulation in a shower apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing a shower apparatus as claimed in claim 12; b] deactivating the water source such that the inner tubing of the shower hose radially contracts to allow water therein to drain into the outer hose pipe; and c] draining water from the outer hose pipe via the waste-water outlet.