GB2612904A

GB2612904A - A sprayer and method of manufacture or assembly thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2612904A
Application number: GB2213874.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Risbey Toby; Passalacqua Martino
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Priority date: 2022-09-22
Filing date: 2022-09-22
Publication date: 2023-05-17
Also published as: GB202213874D0; IE20230232A2

Abstract

A sprayer and method of manufacture thereof comprising: a spray head 10 having one or more spray outlets disposed within a spray face 11. A stem 20 having a first end 21 connected to the spray head and extending from the first end, away from the spray head to a second end 22. A bezel 30 attached to the spray head and surrounding at least partially a perimeter of the spray head, wherein the bezel comprises a first enclosed aperture 31 therethrough the stem extends. At least a portion of the stem extends in a direction at an angle away from an imaginary back plane 14 disposed behind the spray face; and wherein the second end of the stem has a cross-section 22 perpendicular at the second end of the stem to a centreline of the stem and a height of the first enclosed aperture is greater than a height of the cross-section of the second end of the stem.

Description

A SPRAYER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OR ASSEMBLY THEREOF

This disclosure relates to a sprayer, in particular but not exclusively, a sprayer for use in an ablutionary system or a plumbing system and a method of manufacture or assembly of such a sprayer.

It is known to employ various types of sprayers in ablutionary systems, e.g. sprayers for showers or faucets, to emit a fluid, typically water, in a spray pattern. For example, in some shower systems, a sprayer may be provided in the form of a handset.

It may be desirable to provide sprayers having a range of different aesthetics, including materials, colours and/or surface finishes.

A first aspect provides a sprayer comprising: IS a spray head having one or more spray outlets disposed within a spray face; a stem having a first end connected to the spray head and extending from the first end, away from the spray head, to a second end; a bezel attached to the spray head and surrounding at least partially a perimeter of the spray head, wherein the bezel comprises a first enclosed aperture therethrough and the stem extends through the first enclosed aperture; wherein at least a portion of the stem extends in a direction at an angle away from an imaginary back plane disposed behind the spray face; and wherein the second end of the stem has a cross-section perpendicular at the second end of the stem to a centreline of the stem and a height of the first enclosed aperture is greater than a height of the cross-section of the second end of the stem.

The imaginary back plane may be parallel to the spray face. in an implementation when the spray face is not flat, e.g. the spray face is convex or concave, the imaginary back plane may be tangential to an apex of the spray face.

At the point that the stem extends through the first enclosed aperture, the first enclosed aperture and the stem may be complementarily shaped. As a result of their being complementarily shaped, the stem may fit snugly within the first enclosed aperture.

There may be only a minimal gap or no discernible gap between the stem and the first enclosed aperture.

In an implementation, the bezel may be the same colour as or a different colour from the stem. The bezel may have the same or a different surface finish from the stem. The bezel may comprise the same material as the stem or a different material from the stem. For instance, one or more of the bezel and the stem may have a chrome finish.

The angle may be at least 5°, at least 100, at least 15°, at least 200 or at least 25°. The angle may be up to 30°, up to 45°, up to 60° or up to 90° The first end of the stem may have a cross-section measured perpendicular to the centreline of the stem. The cross-section of the second end may be termed the 'second cross-section'.

The first cross-section may have a height which is greater than or equal to a height of the second cross-section.

The first cross-section may have a width which is greater than or equal to a width of the second cross-section.

The stern may be configured to gradually taper along its length from the first end to the second end in height and, optionally in width, measurements being taken in the plane perpendicular to the centreline.

The first cross-section may be geometrically similar to the second cross-section of the stem, i.e., the first cross-section may be a scale image of the second cross-section, in an alternative configuration, the first cross-section may be geometrically distinct from the second cross-section of the stem. For example, the first cross-section may be an oval while the second cross section may be circular. Alternatively, the first cross section may be a rectangle while the second cross-section may be a square. In a further alternate, the first cross-section may be a first shape, such as an oval, and the second cross-section may be a second shape, such as an oval, with a lower aspect ratio than the first shape.

Either or both of first cross-section and the second cross-section may have a flat base. For example, the first cross section may comprise a flat bottomed oval. A flat base may prevent or limit rotation of the bezel about the centreline of the stem during assembly.

The stem may be curved and/or may be substantially straight along its at least a portion of length. Where the stem is substantially straight, the centreline may be defined by a longitudinal axis of the stem The stem and the spray head may form a single piece. Alternately, the stem and the spray head may be separate pieces secured together either reversibly, or permanently.

The separate pieces may be secured together by any suitable fastening or joining technique.

The bezel may be reversibly secured to the spray head by way of one or more fasteners.

IS For example, these fasteners may include a plurality of snap-fit clips. For example, the bezel may be attached to the spray head by a snap-fit.

The one or more fasteners may be disposed on or in an exterior surface of the spray head and/or on or in an interior surface of the bezel. In this way, the one or more fasteners may be partially or entirely hidden from view after assembly of the handset.

A sprayer, e.g., a handset, as disclosed herein may allow for the single piece bezel to be connected and/or disconnected to the spray head without removing the stem, in this way, only a minimal number of joins, connections or the like may be visible, in use.

Such a handset may minimise the availability of crevices and join lines which allow debris to accumulate and facilitate fluid ingress.

A sprayer, e.g., a handset, as disclosed herein may allow a bezel to be disconnected and removed from the spray head and for a second, different bezel to be connected to the spray hcad.

The first enclosed aperture may comprise a shape similar to a perimeter of the first end of the stem.

The or a longitudinal axis of the stem may make an angle with the imaginary back plane. The first angle may be selected to enable the bezel to pass over and surround at least partially the spray head. For example, the first angle may be 27°. The angle may be at least 5°, at least 100, at least 15°, at least 20° or at least 25°. The angle may be up to 30°, up to 45°, up to 600 or up to 90°.

Either or both the first cross-section and the second cross-section may be at least partially hollow. The stem may be at least partially hollow along its length.

The second end of the stem may be configured to secure to a fluid conduit such as a hose. When secured to the stem, the fluid conduit may enable fluidic connection between a fluid source and the one or more outlets of the head.

The sprayer may further comprise a cover secured to the bezel. The bezel may comprise a fastening means to releasably secure the cover to the bezel. The fastening means may secure the cover to the bezel by press-fit or snap-fitting means. For example, the fastening means may be a further aperture in the bezel which or may not be entirely enclosed. The further aperture may be a slot or a slit. The cover may comprise a plug configured to fit the further aperture The spray head may include an external back-surface disposed opposite the spray face. The back surface of the spray head may be flat and may define the back plane of the spray head. The back-surface may be arcuate and may be regular or irregular in shape. The back plane may be defined as a virtual flat base of the back surface.

The spray face may be arcuate or may be substantially flat.

The sprayer may be a handset for a shower.

A second aspect provides a plumbing system or an ablutionary systcm comprising a sprayer according to the first aspect in fluid communication with a fluid supply, e.g. via a hose or a pipe connected to the second end of the stem.

A third aspect provides a method of manufacture or assembly of a sprayer comprising: providing a spray head having one or more spray outlets disposed within a spray face and a stem having a first end connected to the spray head and extending from the first end, away from the spray head to a second end, wherein at least a portion of the stem extends in a direction at an angle away from an imaginary back plane disposed behind the spray face and the second end of the stem has a cross-section perpendicular at the second end of the stem to a centreline of the stem; providing a bezel for surrounding at least partially a perimeter of the spray head, the bezel comprising a first enclosed aperture therethrough, wherein a height of the first enclosed aperture is greater than a height of the cross-section of the second end of the 10 stem; passing the second end of the stem through the first enclosed aperture and moving the bezel along a length of the stem towards the first end of the stem; and with the stem extending through the first enclosed aperture attaching the bezel to the spray head.

IS

The skilled person will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, any feature described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature described herein within the scope of the invention as set of in the claims.

There now follows by way of example only a detailed description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handset for a shower Figure 2 is a perspective view of the handset of Figure 1, with the bezel detached for clarity; Figures 3 to 7 show stages in a method of assembly of the handset of Figure 1.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handset 1 for a shower. The handset I comprises a spray head 10 having a spray face 11. The spray face 11 includes one or more outlets (not shown) disposed within a spray face 11. An imaginary back plane 14 is disposed behind the spray face 11. In this example, the spray face 11 is substantially flat and the imaginary back plane 14 is substantially parallel to the spray face 1 I. The handset 1 further comprises a stem 20 secured to the spray head 10. The stem 20 has a first end 21 connected to the spray head 10. The stem 20 and the spray head 10 may form a single piece. Alternately, the stem 20 and the spray head 10 may be separate pieces secured together either reversibly, or through a permanent fixing means, such as an adhesive.

As shown in Figure 1, the stem 20 extends from the first end 21, away from the spray head 10, to a second end 22. The stem 20 extends in a first direction, away from the imaginary back plane 14. In this embodiment, the stem 20 is substantially straight and a centreline of the stem 20 defines a longitudinal axis 24 of the stern 20. The longitudinal axis 24 coincident with the first direction. The stem 20 extends away from the imaginary back plane 14, that is to say the centreline of the stem, in the case the longitudinal axis 24, is not parallel with the imaginary back plane 14. The longitudinal axis 24 of the stem 20 makes a first angle 4 with the imaginary back plane 14. The imaginary back plane 14 and longitudinal axis 24 arc shown in Figure 1 by finite dashed lines however both the imaginary back plane 14 and longitudinal axis 24 should be considered to extend infinitely.

The first angle 4 may be selected to enable the bezel 30 to pass over and encircle a portion of the spray head 10 during assembly. In this example, the first angle is 27 degrees, but may be any suitable angle. Depths of the spray head 10 on either side of a center of the enclosed aperture 31 may each be selected to enable the bezel 30 to pass over and encircle a portion of the spray head 10 during assembly (depth being measured perpendicular to the imaginary back plane 14).

The stem 20 is at least partially hollow along it's length such that both the first cross-section 21 and the second cross-section 22' are at least partially hollow. The second end 22 of the stem 20 may be configured to secure to a fluid conduit (not shown) such as a hose. When secured to the stern 20, the fluid conduit may enable fluidic connection between a fluid source and the one or more outlets of the spray head 10.

As shown in Figure 1, the first end 21 of the stem 20 has a cross-section, termed a first cross-section 21, measured perpendicular to the centreline (24) of the stem 20. Similarly, the second end 22 of the stem 20 has a cross-section, termed a second cross-section 22, measured perpendicular to the centreline (24) of the stem 20. The first cross-section 21' has a first height 21' a while the second cross-section 22' has a second height 22'a. In this example, the first height 21'a is greater than the second height 22'a.

The stem 20 is configured to gradually taper in height along its length from the first end 21 to the second end 22.

The first cross-section 21' may have a width which is greater than or equal to a width of the second cross-section 22, width being measured perpendicular to height. In this example, the width of the stem 20 is constant along its' length As shown in Figure I, the first cross-section 21 is geometrically distinct to the second cross-section 22' of the stem 20. In this example, the first cross-section 21! is a flat bottomed oval while the second cross-section 22' is substantially circular. In this way, the first cross-section 21' has a higher aspect ration than the second cross-section 22. A flat base may prevent or limit rotation of the bezel about the centreline of the stem during assembly.

The handset 1 further comprises a bezel 30 secured to the spray head 10. The bezel 30 partially covers the spray head 10. In this example, the bezel 30 completely surrounds a circumference of the spray head covering side surfaces and partially covering a back surface of the spray head 10. The bezel 30 comprises an enclosed aperture 31. The enclosed aperture 31 is shaped similarly to a perimeter of the first end 21 of the stern 20, the first end 21 fitting closely within the enclosed aperture 31. This may form a seal between the stem 20 and the bezel 30 to prevent or limit fluid ingress into the handset The enclosed aperture 31 may be completely enclosed by a single piece of bezel 30. In this example, the bezel 30 in its' entirely is integrally formed of a single piece. Such a handset I may minimise the number of crevices and join lines which allow debris to accumulate and facilitate fluid ingress.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the handset of Figure 1, with the bezel 30 detached for clarity. As shown, the enclosed aperture 31 has a height 31' a which is greater than the height 22'a of the second cross-section 22. In this example, the height 31'a of the enclosed aperture 31 is also greater than the height 21' a of the first cross-section 21'.

The difference between the first height 21' a and the second height 22'a; and the depths of the spray head 10 on either side a center of the enclosed aperture 31 may be selected in combination with the first angle 4 to ensure that the bezel 30 is able to pass over and encircle a portion of the spray head 10 during assembly.

As shown, the bezel 30 may be reversibly secured to the spray head 10 by way of one or more fasteners 13a, 13b such as snap fit-clips. The fasteners 13a, 13b are regularly spaced around a circumference of the spray head and/or bezel. The one or more fasteners 13a, 13b may be arranged such that they are partially or entirely hidden from view after assembly of the handset I. in this example the fasteners I3a, 13b include: a first set of fasteners 13a disposed on an external surface of the spray head; and a second set of fasteners 13b disposed on an internal (contacting) surface of the bezel 30. When the handset 1 is assembled, each of the first set of fasteners 13a co-operatively couples with a different one of the second set of fasteners 13b.

A handset 1 as defined herein may allow a bezel 30 to be disconnected and removed from the spray head 10 and for a second, different bezel to be connected to the spray head 10. This may allow greater customisation of the handset 1 as well as increasing ease of replacement of damaged or ageing parts.

Figures 2 to 7 show the handset 1 at various stages of assembly. Figure 2 shows the handset with the bezel 30 detached. During assembly, the second end 22 of the stem 20 is aligned with the enclosed aperture 31 of the bezel 30. The bezel 30 is then threaded along the stem 20 as shown in Figure 3. During translation of the bezel 30 along the stem 20, the bezel 30 is angled such that a front rim clears the back surface of the spray head. Figure 4 shows the bezel 30 when it has reached the first end 21 of the stem 20.

At this stage the aperture 31 is coplanar with the first cross-section 21'. There is a gap (not shown) between the aperture 31 and the first cross-section 21', caused by the difference in height between the aperture 31 and the first cross-section 21'. This difference in height ensures that the bezel 30 is able to pass over a portion of the spray head 10 during assembly.

Figure 5 shows a basal perspective view of the handset 1 when the bezel 30 is secured to the spray head 10. Figure 6 shows a top perspective view of the handset 1 when the bezel 30 is secured to the spray head 10.

The handset 1 may further comprise a cover 50 secured to the bezel 30. Figure 7 shows a top perspective view of the handset 1 when the bezel 30 is secured to the spray head 10. The bezel 30 and/or the cover 50 comprises a further fastening means 53 to releasably secure the cover 50 to the bezel 30. The further fastening means 53 may secure the cover 50 to the bezel 30 by press-fit or snap-fitting means. In this example, the fastening means 53 consists of a further aperture 53a in the bezel 30 and a plug of the cover 50. The plug is configured to co-cooperatively fit into the further aperture 53a.

The spray head 10 may include a back surface 15 disposed opposite the spray face 11.

In this example the back surface 15 is flat and defines the imaginary back plane 14 of the spray head 10. in an alternate configuration, the back surface 15 may be arcuate and may be regular or irregular in shape. In such an alternate configuration, the imaginary back plane 14 may be defined as a virtual flat base of the back surface 15. When the handset 1 is assembled, the plug of the cover 50 may contact the back-surface 15 of the spray head 10.

In this example, the spray face 11 is integral to the spray head 10. However, it is within the scope of the invention that the spray face 11 is a separate component coupled to the remainder of the spray head.

The spray face 11 may be arcuate or may be substantially flat and may be parallel to the imaginary back plane 14. The spray face II may include a plurality of nozzles disposed thereon. The nozzles may be fluidically connected to the fluid source for dispensing fluid via the fluid conduit.

The handset I may be suitable for use in a range of ablutionary environments. For example, the handset 1 is suitable for use in a shower. The handset 1 may be implemented as a hand held device or as a fixed overhead device. For example the handset 1 may be implemented as a held-held device to use in addition to or in instead of a conventional sink faucet.

When the handset 1 is both viewed from the front, i.e. from in front of the spray face 11, and from behind, a user will see the bezel 30 as a complete circle.

It is envisaged that a sprayer according to the present disclosure may be employed as a fluid delivery device attached to an end of a hoscpipe.

The fluid referred to throughout the disclosure may be water. Alternate fluids are however considered inside the scope of this disclosure.

During assembly the stem may be covered at least partially with a protective laver to prevent the stem from being scratched or otherwise damaged while the bezel is translated along the stem. The protective layer may be removed after the bezel has been secured to the spray head.

In implementations, the colours, materials and/or surface finishes of the stem, the bezel and/or the cover may be varied to provide a variety of combinations to suit different design aesthetics. For instance, one or more f the components described in the paragraph I5 may be white, black or any other colour and/or have a gold or chrome or other metallic finish. For example, different aesthetics may be readily realised by choosing different combinations of bezels, covers and/or stems.

Throughout this disclosure, the term 'height' is used to refer to an external measurement of 2D shapes such as the first and second cross-section and the first enclosed aperture.

In the context of this application, term 'height' should be measured in the plane of the 2D shape (i.e., the projection of vertical on the 2D shape, as shown in the Figures). in this application vertical is shown up-down throughout the Figures and can be taken to be a perpendicular projection from the imaginary back plane of the spray head.

Throughout this disclosure, the term 'width' used in the context of a 2D shape is taken to mean a maximum external measurement perpendicular to height.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features disclosed herein within the scope of the invention as set out in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sprayer comprising: a spray head having one or more spray outlets disposed within a spray face; a stem having a first end connected to the spray head and extending from the first end, away from the spray head, to a second end; a bezel attached to the spray head and surrounding at least partially a perimeter of the spray head, wherein the bezel comprises a first enclosed aperture therethrough and the stem extends through the first enclosed aperture; wherein at least a portion of the stem extends in a direction at an angle away from an imaginary back plane disposed behind the spray face; and wherein the second end of the stem has a cross-section perpendicular at the second end of the stem to a centreline of the stem and a height of the first enclosed aperture is greater than a height of the cross-section of the second end of the stem. I5
2. The sprayer of claim 1, wherein the imaginary back plane is parallel to the spray face or is tangential to an apex of the spray face.
3. The sprayer of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, at the point that the stem extends through the first enclosed aperture, the first enclosed aperture and the stem may be complementarily shaped.
4. The sprayer of claim 3, wherein there is only a minimal gap or no discernible gap between the stem and the first enclosed aperture.
5. The sprayer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bezel has the same or a different surface finish from the stern, optionally wherein one or more of the bezel and the stem has a chrome finish.
6. The sprayer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle is at least 5°, at least 10°, at least 15°, at least 20° or at least 25°.
7. The sprayer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle is up to 300, up to 450, up to 60° or up to 90° 7. The sprayer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end of the stem has a cross-section measured perpendicular to the centreline of the stem, the cross-section of the second end termed the second cross-section, wherein the first cross-section has a height which is greater than or equal to a height of the second cross-section.
8. The sprayer according to claim 7, wherein the first cross-section has a width which is greater than or equal to a width of the second cross-section.
9. The sprayer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stem tapers along its length from the first end to the second end in height and, optionally in width, measurements being taken in the plane perpendicular to the centreline.
10. The sprayer according to any one of claims 7 to 9 when dependent on claim 7, wherein the first cross-section is geometrically distinct from the second cross-section of the stem, optionally wherein the first cross-section is an oval and the second cross section is substantially circular.
11. The sprayer according to any one of claims 7 to 10 when dependent on claim 7, wherein either or both of the first cross-section and the second cross-section have a flat base, optionally wherein the first cross section comprises a flat bottomed oval.
12. The sprayer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bezel is reversibly secured to the spray head by way of one or more fasteners, optionally wherein the one or more fasteners are partially or entirely hidden from view after assembly of the sprayer.
13. The sprayer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or a longitudinal axis of the stem makes an angle with the imaginary back plane, optionally wherein the angle is at least 5°, at least 10°, at least 15°, at least 20° or at least 25° and/or the angle is up to 30°, up to 45°, up to 60° or up to 90°.
14. The sprayer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second end of the stem is configured to secure to a fluid conduit. 1.3
15. The sprayer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sprayer further comprises a cover secured to the bezel.
16. The sprayer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the enclosed aperture is completely enclosed by a single piece of the bezel, optionally wherein the bezel, in its entirety, is integrally formed of a single piece.
17. A plumbing system or an ablutionary system comprising a sprayer according to any one of the preceding claims in fluid communication with a fluid supply.
18. The plumbing system of claim 17, wherein the sprayer is in fluid communication with a fluid supply via a hose or a pipe connected to the second end of the stem.
19. A method of manufacture or assembly of a sprayer comprising: providing a spray head having one or more spray outlets disposed within a spray face and a stem having a first end connected to the spray head and extending from the first end, away from the spray head to a second end, wherein at least a portion of the stem extends in a direction at an angle away from an imaginary back plane disposed behind the spray face and the second end of the stem has a cross-section perpendicular at the second end of the stem to a centreline of the stem; providing a bezel for surrounding at least partially a perimeter of the spray head, the bezel comprising a first enclosed aperture therethrough, wherein a height of the first enclosed aperture is greater than a height of the cross-section of the second end of the stem; passing the second end of the stem through the first enclosed aperture and moving the bezel along a length of the stem towards the first end of the stem; and with the stem extending through the first enclosed aperture attaching the bezel to the spray head.